Closed pipes cannot produce even-numbered harmonics due to their physical structure, which requires a pressure antinode at the open end and a node at the closed end. This configuration allows only odd harmonics, such as the first overtone, which occurs at three times the fundamental frequency. The absence of even harmonics is explained by the inability to satisfy the boundary conditions necessary for even harmonics, as they would require a different arrangement of nodes and antinodes. Understanding this concept is crucial for physics exams, as it highlights the relationship between pipe length and wavelength. Mastery of these principles can significantly improve exam performance.
