Q.How are stationary waves formed in closed pipes? Explain the various modes of vibrations and obtain relations for their frequencies. A closed organ pipe 70 cm long is sounded. If the velocity of sound is 331 m/s, what is the fundamental frequency of vibration of the air column?
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →A closed pipe forms stationary waves with a node at the closed end and an antinode at the open end, supporting only odd harmonics; for the given 70 cm pipe and v = 331 m/s the fundamental frequency works out to about 118.2 Hz.
Formation of stationary waves in a closed pipe: A closed organ pipe is closed at one end and open at the other. A sound wave sent into the pipe travels to the closed end, is reflected there, and the incident and reflected waves superpose to form a stationary (standing) wave inside the air column. Since the closed end cannot vibrate, it must always be a displacement node, while the open end (where air is free to move) is (approximately) a displacement antinode.
Modes of vibration and their frequencies:
Fundamental mode (first harmonic): The simplest standing wave pattern that fits a node at the closed end and an antinode at the open end has a quarter of a wavelength fitting into the pipe length L:
L = lambda1 / 4 => lambda1 = 4L
So the fundamental frequency is:
f1 = v / lambda1 = v / (4L)
Higher modes (overtones): The next possible pattern that still has a node at the closed end and antinode at the open end fits 3/4 of a wavelength into the pipe:
L = 3 lambda2 / 4 => lambda2 = 4L/3 => f2 = 3v/(4L) = 3 f1
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