Teaching physics remotely: determining the speed of sound in the air using a pan flute

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of schools and the transition to online teaching, making it necessary to find solutions for lab-based subjects such as experimental physics. In scenarios like this, a good alternative is for students to conduct experiments at home. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a pan flute for teaching acoustics at a distance. We explored the simplicity of assembly, the need for only common materials, and the ability to collect data at home with audio software support. To explore the feasibility of the project, a model of the flute was built. Data were collected, and the average value obtained for the speed of sound in the air was 338 m s−1, with a relative error of 1.4% to the expected value. During the pandemic, this experiment was integrated into two undergraduate courses and the students successfully completed the construction of the instrument, collected data, and estimated the speed of sound, demonstrating positive results in distance learning.