Mechanical waves propagate through material media. Sound is an example of a mechanical wave. In
fluids like air, sound waves propagate through successive longitudinal perturbations of compression
and decompression. Audible sound frequencies for human ears range from 20 to 20 000 Hz. In this
study, the speed of sound v in the air is determined using the identification of maxima of
interference from two synchronous waves at frequency f . The values of v were correct to 0 °C. The
experimental average value of ##IMG##
[http://ej.iop.org/images/0143-0807/38/4/045802/ejpaa6d30ieqn1.gif] {${\bar{\nu }}_{\exp }=336\,\pm
\,4\,{\rm{m}}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1}$} was found. It is 1.5% larger than the reference value. The standard
deviation of 4 m s −1 (1.2% of ##IMG##
[http://ej.iop.org/images/0143-0807/38/4/045802/ejpaa6d30ieqn2.gif] {${\bar{\nu }}_{\exp }$} ) is an
improved value by the use of the concept of the central lim…