Search for Science Fair Projects

1000 Science Fair Projects with Complete Instructions

General Physics Science Fair Project

Tuning Fork Frequency and Temperature

Hard
Tuning Fork Frequency and Temperature | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Does a hot tuning fork sound different from a cold one? You cool a 640 Hz tuning fork in a freezer and heat it in water on a stove to test five temperatures: 0°C, 25°C, 50°C, 75°C, and 100°C. At each temperature you tap the fork and record its frequency (vibration speed) with a sound sensor and scope. An infrared thermometer confirms the temperature. The fork's frequency drops slightly as it warms up. At 0°C it reads 641.6 Hz. At 100°C it drops to 639.9 Hz.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that the frequency of sound from a tuning fork will decrease as the temperature increases.

Method & Materials

You will vary the temperature of a tuning fork at 0°C, 25°C, 50°C, 75°C and 100°C, and measure the frequency of sound with a frequency sensor and scope.
You will need a tuning fork (640 Hz), a sound sensor and scope, a beaker, some water, a stove, a refrigerator, and an infrared thermometer.

MEL Physics — monthly physics experiment kits delivered to your door. (Affiliate link)

See whats included

Results

The experiment showed that when the temperature of the tuning fork is increased, there is a slight reduction in the frequency sound generated. This proves that the hypothesis is true.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting because it explores the relationship between temperature and sound, and how this affects the frequency of sound from a tuning fork.

Also Consider

Consider repeating the experiment with a tuning fork made from a different material, or with tuning forks of different frequencies.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

Related video

These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
Share this Science Project:

Related Science Fair Project Ideas

Color Visibility at Ocean Depths
Photograph red, yellow, green, and blue balls at increasing ocean depths to discover which colors vanish first.
Hard
Colored Glass Filters and Laser Power
Aim red, green, and blue lasers through colored glass filters and measure whether any filter blocks a meaningful amount of power.
Hard
Speaker Enclosure Size and Frequency Response
Build three speaker boxes of different depths and measure which frequencies each one boosts or cuts.
Hard
Share this Science Project: