Sound resonance in pipes with discrete Fourier transform

Abstract

Sound resonance in pipes is investigated using a readily available setup consisting of a pipe, loudspeaker, microphone, and laptop. Discrete Fourier transform is used to extract the amplitude and phase spectra from the recorded sound enabling determination of locations and shapes of resonance peaks accurately. Either white noise signal or sharp pulse signal is used as an excited input sound signal. Both have broad frequency spectra and the difference between them is explored. The shapes of the amplitude and phase spectra are found to be well fitted to the predicted shapes. The pipe is either closed at both ends, closed at only one end, or open at both ends. The speed of sound and the effective location of reflection at the open end are in excellent agreement with theory.