Why Do Standing Waves Form with Two Free Ends?

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SUMMARY

Standing waves with two free ends form due to the interaction of incoming sound waves and reflected waves at the open ends of an organ pipe. When sound waves, characterized by regions of compression, reach the open ends, they displace air molecules, creating a low-pressure region. This low-pressure area causes neighboring air to push in, generating a reflected wave that combines with the incoming wave, resulting in a standing wave pattern. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding sound production in open-end organ pipes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave mechanics
  • Familiarity with sound wave properties
  • Knowledge of organ pipe acoustics
  • Basic principles of pressure and displacement in fluids
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of wave reflection in acoustics
  • Explore the physics of sound waves in open-end organ pipes
  • Study the mathematical modeling of standing waves
  • Investigate the impact of pipe length on sound frequency and intensity
USEFUL FOR

Musicians, acoustics engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in the mechanics of sound production in musical instruments.

huyhohoang
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Hi everyone!
As we all know standing wave of 2 fixed ends formed by the combination of coming wave and reflection wave. But I wonder why there still have a reflection wave combinating with coming wave to form standing wave of 2 free ends?
Many thanks.
 
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huyhohoang said:
As we all know standing wave of 2 fixed ends formed by the combination of coming wave and reflection wave. But I wonder why there still have a reflection wave combinating with coming wave to form standing wave of 2 free ends?
Many thanks.

the standing waves are formed in open end organ pipes -open at both ends -in whistling through an open pipe one must have felt a difference in intensity of the sound produced.
when sound waves(composed of region of compression) travel and reach the open end
it must be pushing in the air outside like a sudden 'push of energy/and displacement of the air molecules'
and for a very short time interval a 'low pressure region may have formed at the open end and
neighboring air will push to fill up this void-
and in this process a compression can be formed at the end which can travel back as reflected wave and can give rise to standing wave..
 
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Thanks for your answer.
 

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