Physics · Wave Motion and Sound
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An organ pipe of length T has one end closed but the other end open. What is the wavelength of the fundamental node emitted?
- A
4 × T
- B
2 × T
- C
3 × T
- D
1 × T
The fundamental mode of a closed-open organ pipe produces a wavelength that is four times the length of the pipe. This is because the closed end is a displacement node and the open end is a displacement antinode, leading to a quarter wavelength fitting into the pipe length. Hence, the full wavelength is 4 times the pipe length, T. The other options do not account for the correct relationship between the pipe length and the wavelength in a closed-open pipe.
This is the correct answer. In an organ pipe with one end closed, the fundamental wavelength is four times the length of the pipe, T.
This is incorrect. A closed organ pipe does not have a fundamental wavelength that is twice the length of the pipe. This would be true for an open-open pipe.
This is incorrect. The factor of three does not correspond to the fundamental wavelength of a closed-open organ pipe.
This is incorrect. The fundamental wavelength of a closed-open organ pipe is not simply the length of the pipe.
Tagged under Physics · Wave Motion and Sound · 2013