Vibrations of Air Column in Pipes

Musical wind instruments like flute, clarinet etc. are based on the principle of vibrations of air columns. Due to the superposition of the incident wave and the reflected wave, longitudinal stationary waves are formed in the pipe.

Organ pipes

Organ pipes are musical instruments which are used to produce musical sound by blowing air into the pipe. Organ pipes are two types (a) closed organ pipes, closed at one end (b) open organ pipe, open at both ends.

(a) Closed organ pipe

If the air is blown lightly at the open end of the closed organ pipe, then the air column vibrates (as shown in figure) in the fundamental mode. There is a node at the closed end and an antinode at the open end. If l is the length of the tube,

l = λ₁/4 or λ₁ = 4l               …... (1)

If n₁ is the fundamental frequency of the vibrations and v is the velocity of sound in air, then

n₁ = v/λ₁ = v/4l                  …... (2)

If air is blown strongly at the open end, frequencies higher than fundamental frequency can be produced. They are called overtones. Fig.b & Fig.c shows the mode of vibration with two or more nodes and antinodes.

l = 3λ₃/4     or λ₃ = 4l/3              …... (3)

Thus, n₃ = v/λ₃ = 3v/4l = 3n₁      …... (4)

This is the first overtone or third harmonic.

Similarly, n₅ = 5v/4l = 5n₁          …... (5)

This is called as second overtone or fifth harmonic.

Therefore the frequency of pth overtone is (2p + 1) n₁ where n₁ is the fundamental frequency. In a closed pipe only odd harmonics are produced. The frequencies of harmonics are in the ratio of 1 : 3 : 5.....

(b) Open organ pipe

When air is blown into the open organ pipe, the air column vibrates in the fundamental mode as shown in figure. Antinodes are formed at the ends and a node is formed in the middle of the pipe. If l is the length of the pipe, then

l = λ₁/2    Or   λ₁ = 2l                 …... (1)

v = n₁λ₁ = n₁2l

The fundamental frequency,

n₁ = v/2l                      …... (2)

In the next mode of vibration additional nodes and antinodes are formed as shown in Fig.b and Fig.c.

l = λ₂ or v = n₂λ₂ = n₂ (l)

So,  n₂ = v/l = 2n₁         …... (3)

This is the first overtone or second harmonic.

Similarly, 

 n₃ = v/λ₃ = 3v/2l = 3n₁     …... (4)

This is the second overtone or third harmonic

Therefore the frequency of P^th overtone is (P + 1) n₁ where n₁ is the fundamental frequency.

The frequencies of harmonics are in the ratio of 1 : 2 : 3 ....

Resonance air column apparatus

The resonance air column apparatus consists of a glass tube G about one metre in length (as shown in figure) whose lower end is connected to a reservoir R by a rubber tube.

The glass tube is mounted on a vertical stand with a scale attached to it. The glass tube is partly filled with water. The level of water in the tube can be adjusted by raising or lowering the reservoir.

A vibrating tuning fork of frequency n is held near the open end of the tube. The length of the air column is adjusted by changing the water level. The air column of the tube acts like a closed organ pipe. When this air column resonates with the frequency of the fork the intensity of sound is maximum.

Here longitudinal stationary wave is formed with node at the water surface and an antinode near the open end. If l1 is the length of the resonating air column

λ/4 = l₁ + e                …... (1)

where e is the end correction.

The length of air column is increased until it resonates again with the tuning fork. If l₂ is the length of the air column.

3λ/4 = l₂ + e              …... (2)

From equations (1) and (2)

λ/2 = (l₂ – l₁)             …... (3)

The velocity of sound in air at room temperature

v = nλ = 2n (l₂ – l₁)          …... (4)

Refer this video to know more about vibrations of air column in pipes

End correction

The antinode is not exactly formed at the open end, but at a small distance above the open end. This is called the end correction.

As l₁ + e = λ/4     and   l₂ + e =  3λ/4

e = (l₂ – 3l₁)/2

It is found that e = 0.61r, where r is the radius of the glass tube.

Problem (JEE Advanced):

Two open organ pipes of fundamental frequencies n₁ and n₂ are joined in series. The fundamental frequency of the new pipe so obtained will be,

(a) n₁ + n₂            (b) n₁n₂/n₁ + n₂

(c) n₁ + n₂/2            (d) √(n₁² + n₂²)

Solution:

We know that, n₁ = v/2l₁

So, l₁ = v/2n₁

n₂ = v/2l₂

So, l₂ = v/2n₂

Now, n = v/2(l₁ + l₂)

Substituting the values we get,

n = n₁n₂/n₁ + n₂

From the above observation we conclude that, option (b) is correct.

A string is fixed at both ends and plucked so it vibrates in a standing wave mode as shown below. Let upward motion correspond to positive velocities. When the string is in position b, the instantaneous velocity of points along the string

(a) is zero everywhere.

(b) is positive everywhere.

(c) is negative everywhere.

(d) depends on the location

Question 2

A string is fixed at both ends and plucked so it vibrates in a standing wave mode as shown below. Let upward motion correspond to positive velocities. When the string is in position c, the instantaneous velocity of points along the string

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