Can Closed Pipes Produce Overtones from a Single Frequency Vibration?

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SUMMARY

Closed pipes can produce overtones from a single frequency vibration, such as a 300Hz tuning fork. The presence of overtones occurs due to end effects that distort the pressure wave, resulting in a sound quality that differs from the pure tone of the tuning fork. While the fundamental frequency remains the loudest, the strength of the overtones is influenced by the pipe's dimensions, with narrower pipes yielding a purer tone and affecting the overall sound quality.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of acoustic principles, specifically wave behavior in closed pipes.
  • Knowledge of fundamental frequency and overtones in sound production.
  • Familiarity with tuning forks and their frequency characteristics.
  • Basic concepts of sound quality and how physical dimensions of pipes influence acoustics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of sound waves in closed pipes.
  • Explore the relationship between pipe dimensions and sound quality.
  • Study the effects of end effects on sound wave propagation.
  • Investigate how different materials affect the acoustics of closed pipes.
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Acoustics enthusiasts, music educators, sound engineers, and anyone interested in the physics of sound production and quality in closed pipe systems.

alan4cult
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If you vibrate a tuning fork over a closed pipe (a pipe with one end closed and the other open) is it possible to get overtones in the pipe even thought the tuning fork only vibrates at one frequency
For example if you have a tuning fork of freq 300HZ and you allow it too vibrate above a closed pipe is it possible to get 3 times the frequency e.g. 900Hz?
 
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Because of end effects, the pressure wave is not purely sinusoidal, leading to some overtones. That is why the sound from the pipe has a different quality than the pure tuning fork.
 
Thanks for your reply. That is what I imagined. However wouldn't the overtones be very diminished? I mean would the fundamental frequency appear the loudest?
 
The strength of the overtones would depend on the length/radius of the pipe.
A narrower pipe would have a purer tone, but even a low level of overtones can affect the quality of the sound.
 

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