Speed of Sound - Errors and Enhancements

[ChromoZoneX]

I need sources of error (4) , and some enhancements for accuracy (4) for a lab experiment involving speed of sound. The experiment is as follows (as I have done it)

1. Using water to move a tube up/down to look for the first antinode.
2. Used a 512 Hz tuning fork to create the vibrations.
3. Found the antinode.
4. I got all the calculations and stuff done :)

I just can't figure out those...although i have some rather vague theories such as

Errors,
1. water level is never straight which can cause fluctuations in the waves

enhancements,
1. Include the diameter of the tube in the appropriate equations...

I have little time...any help is appreciated.

 

[Fewmet]

I need sources of error (4) , and some enhancements for accuracy (4) for a lab experiment involving speed of sound. The experiment is as follows (as I have done it)

1. Using water to move a tube up/down to look for the first antinode.
2. Used a 512 Hz tuning fork to create the vibrations.
3. Found the antinode.
4. I got all the calculations and stuff done :)

I just can't figure out those...although i have some rather vague theories such as

Errors,
1. water level is never straight which can cause fluctuations in the waves

enhancements,
1. Include the diameter of the tube in the appropriate equations...

I have little time...any help is appreciated.

I use that experiment in my classes. My students have suggested
1) There is the potential that the humidity in the tube be affecting the speed pf sound, but that is an issue only if you are thinking the speed of sound in the tube is the same as in the lab space.
2) Getting an accurate length of the column of air above the the water can be tricky, It is hard to hod the tube steady enough by hand.
3) There is a risk of getting the antinode for 3/4[tex]\lambda[/tex] rather than 1/4[tex]\lambda[/tex]

Do you take into account that the vibrating air column doesn't stop neatly at the open end of the tube?
3)

 

[ChromoZoneX]

I use that experiment in my classes. My students have suggested
1) There is the potential that the humidity in the tube be affecting the speed pf sound, but that is an issue only if you are thinking the speed of sound in the tube is the same as in the lab space.
2) Getting an accurate length of the column of air above the the water can be tricky, It is hard to hod the tube steady enough by hand.
3) There is a risk of getting the antinode for 3/4[tex]\lambda[/tex] rather than 1/4[tex]\lambda[/tex]

Do you take into account that the vibrating air column doesn't stop neatly at the open end of the tube?
3)

Thanks!