A tuning fork vibrating at 256Hz is held near one end of a long aluminium rod. The sound travels along the rod, emerges into air at the far end and is heard by a listener.
(a) Calculate the wavelength of the sound along the aluminium rod if the speed of sound in aluminium is 6320m/s.
(b) The same tuning fork produces sound of the same frequency in the surrounding air where the speed of sound is 340m/s. Calculate the wavelength in air.
(c) Determine how many times the wavelength in aluminium is greater than that in air.
(d) Explain, with reference to your results, which physical quantity (frequency or wavelength) is determined by the source and which by the medium.