Stationary Waves: Reflection & Odd Harmonics

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter FizixFreak
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Stationary waves Waves
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reflection of waves in an open air column and the concept of odd harmonics, particularly in the context of closed-end columns. Participants explore the nature of wave reflection and the specific characteristics of harmonics produced in different types of columns.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about how waves are reflected in an open air column.
  • Another participant mentions odd harmonics as odd-integer multiples of the fundamental frequency (f_0, 3f_0, 5f_0, etc.).
  • A repeated question arises regarding why only odd harmonics are produced in a closed-end column.
  • One participant suggests that the closed end must be a node and the open end an antinode, leading to the fitting of only certain fractions of a wave, which results in odd harmonics.
  • A link to additional resources is provided for further exploration of the topic.
  • Participants express a desire for clarification on the relationship between different harmonics and their wavelengths.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the explanation of why only odd harmonics are produced in closed-end columns, as participants are still seeking clarification and further discussion on the topic.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about wave behavior in different column types and the definitions of nodes and antinodes, which may not be fully articulated or agreed upon by all participants.

FizixFreak
Messages
154
Reaction score
0
hi there i just wanted to know that how are waves reflected in an open air column and what do we mean about odd harmonics? thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!

Hi FizixFreak! Welcome to PF! :smile:
FizixFreak said:
hi there i just wanted to know that how are waves reflected in an open air column

See the PF Library on open end :wink:
 
THE website great man thank you very much
 
but what about odd harmonics
 
Odd harmonics are odd-integer multiples of the fundamental frequency: [itex]f_0[/itex], [itex]3f_0[/itex], [itex]5f_0[/itex], [itex]7f_0[/itex],etc.
 
i know that but why only odd harmonics are produced in an closed end column?
 
FizixFreak said:
i know that but why only odd harmonics are produced in an closed end column?

jtbell said:
Odd harmonics are odd-integer multiples of the fundamental frequency: [itex]f_0[/itex], [itex]3f_0[/itex], [itex]5f_0[/itex], [itex]7f_0[/itex],etc.

no replies:cry:
i hope i m not wasting your time but i really need to know this stuff
 
FizixFreak said:
i know that but why only odd harmonics are produced in an closed end column?

Because the closed end must be a node and the open end an antinode. This means that only 1/4 or 3/4 or 5/4 or 7/4 etc of a wave can fit in the tube. This gives only odd harmonics.
 
See the following page:

http://cnx.org/content/m12589/latest/

Scroll down to the diagram labeled "Allowed Wavelengths in a Stopped Tube."

How do the second, third and fourth waves compare in wavelength to the first one? (How much longer are they?)

Notice that in the first one (the fundamental), you're seeing only 1/4 of a wavelength.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Real image of a sawtooth standing wave in a musical string?
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
17K
High School Are Beats and Standing Waves Related in Physics?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
High School Audio frequency of a humidifier
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
Undergrad How exactly are standing waves formed?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Undergrad Is "scalar wave" a legitimate term?
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
12K
Undergrad Are 1D Longitudinal Waves Reflected at an Open End?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad Position of speaker in front of tube to produce stationary wave
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
High School Node at a closed end and an antinode at a open end of a tube
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Graduate How Does Changing Water Levels Affect Air Column Resonance and Harmonics?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
High School Waves travelling between strings
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K