- #1
Cardinalmont
What causes there to be a node at a closed end of an air column and an antinode at the open end of a air column? Why doesn't it change as the wave oscillates?
A node is a point in a standing wave where the amplitude is always zero. This means that there is no displacement at this point, and the particles in the medium are not moving.
An antinode is a point in a standing wave where the amplitude is at its maximum. This means that the particles in the medium are experiencing maximum displacement at this point.
When a wave reflects off of a fixed end, the reflected wave interferes with the incident wave. This interference results in a node at the fixed end, as the reflected wave has an opposite phase to the incident wave.
When a wave reflects off of a free end, the reflected wave interferes with the incident wave. This interference results in an antinode at the free end, as the reflected wave has the same phase as the incident wave.
The distance between nodes and antinodes determines the wavelength of the standing wave, which in turn affects the frequency of the wave. The shorter the distance between nodes and antinodes, the shorter the wavelength and higher the frequency. Conversely, a longer distance between nodes and antinodes results in a longer wavelength and lower frequency.