Understanding Resonance in Sound Pipes: The Importance of Nodes vs. Antinodes

[Winner]

Ok, I don't understand why in a sound resonating pipe, that the in the closed end there needs to be a node and not antinode. Why?

 

[Hurkyl]

IIRC, you want to look at the reflected wave.

 

[Winner]

huh? Can you elaborate?

 

[Hurkyl]

Sorry, my mistake, I was thinking of a transverse wave, not a longitudinal wave.


Recall that nodes are where the particles do not oscilate about their rest position... does that help?

 

[Winner]

Right. I get that. But what would it make a difference if i had a anti-node instead on a closed pipe?

 

[Hurkyl]

Well, it's kind of difficult for air particles to oscillate through the pipe...

 

[Winner]

wait. Ok imagine the pipe, it has a plunger and an open side on the opposite end. Why would air particles have trouble? It is coming from the open side or the anti-node side.

 

[Hurkyl]

When I said through, I meant through the closed end.