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 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.
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.....
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 Pth overtone is (P + 1) n1 where n1 is the fundamental frequency.
The frequencies of harmonics are in the ratio of 1 : 2 : 3 ....
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)
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.
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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)
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
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
(a) is zero everywhere.
(b) is positive everywhere.
(c) Is negative everywhere.
(d) Depends on the location.
A string is stretched between two fixed points. If the tension in the string is increased, the normal mode frequencies
(a) increase.
(b) decrease.
(c) stay the same.
(d) First increase and then decrease
An object is vibrating at its natural frequency. Repeated and periodic vibrations of the same natural frequency impinge upon the vibrating object and the amplitude of its vibrations are observed to increase. This phenomenon is known as ____.
(a) beats (b) resonance
(c) interference (d) overtone
Standing waves are produced in a wire by vibrating one end at a frequency of 100. Hz. The distance between the 2nd and the 5th nodes is 60.0 cm. The wavelength of the original traveling wave is ____ cm.
(a) 50.0 (b) 40.0
(c) 30.0 (d) 20.0
Q.1 | Q.2 | Q.3 | Q.4 | Q.5 |
a |
d |
a |
b |
b |
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