Tooltip
These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.

Measuring the speed of sound using toilet rolls

This video and worksheet set out a measurement challenge that can be carried out at home or in school.  Students must use a laptop, tablet or phone, and a set of in ear headphones to carry out the experiment.  They also use a tube, in this example some stacked toilet rolls.  By using destructive interference of the sound waves, students can take measurements of the wavelength of the sound, and use the wave equation to calculate the speed of sound inside the tube.   The students are encouraged to upload their results to the NPL website.

This resource links to sound waves, the wave equation, frequency and wavelength, constructive and destructive interference and standing waves.

The report file looks at measurements taken by NPL and draws some conclusions.

Show health and safety information

Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.

Information on the permitted use of this resource is covered by the Category Three Content section in STEM Learning’s Terms and conditions.