Physics SL
Physics SL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Sound Wave Reflection: Understanding Open-End Pipe Phenomenon

Word Count Emoji
611 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Key concepts 🚀

  • Compression wave: A compression wave is a series of compressed and less compressed molecules in a medium (like air). In the context of sound waves in a pipe, visualize the incident wave as a group of compressed molecules moving towards the open end.

  • Atmospheric Pressure: Because the pipe is open, the pressure at the open end must always be atmospheric, which is the pressure exerted by the Earth's atmosphere at any given point.

  • Reflection: When the compression wave reaches the open end, it's no longer restrained by the pipe walls. The wave spreads out until its pressure drops to atmospheric pressure. This leads to a rarefaction (region of below-average pressure) that propagates down the pipe away from the open end. This results in a pulse of high pressure travelling towards the open end, reflected as a pulse of low pressure travelling away from the open end.

  • π Phase Change: A π phase change in the pressure wave occurs during the reflection process.

  • Standing Waves: At an open end, the standing wave has a (displacement) antinode, where the molecules are free to move. At a closed end, the standing wave has a (displacement) node, where the wall prevents molecules from moving along the pipe.

Real-world example 🌍

Think of a crowd at a concert, with people pushing forward to get closer to the stage. If the crowd suddenly finds a wide-open space (like an open end of a pipe), they would spread out quickly, accelerating until they're moving at their highest speed. This is similar to a compression wave reaching the open end of a pipe.

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IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Sound Wave Reflection: Understanding Open-End Pipe Phenomenon

Word Count Emoji
611 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Key concepts 🚀

  • Compression wave: A compression wave is a series of compressed and less compressed molecules in a medium (like air). In the context of sound waves in a pipe, visualize the incident wave as a group of compressed molecules moving towards the open end.

  • Atmospheric Pressure: Because the pipe is open, the pressure at the open end must always be atmospheric, which is the pressure exerted by the Earth's atmosphere at any given point.

  • Reflection: When the compression wave reaches the open end, it's no longer restrained by the pipe walls. The wave spreads out until its pressure drops to atmospheric pressure. This leads to a rarefaction (region of below-average pressure) that propagates down the pipe away from the open end. This results in a pulse of high pressure travelling towards the open end, reflected as a pulse of low pressure travelling away from the open end.

  • π Phase Change: A π phase change in the pressure wave occurs during the reflection process.

  • Standing Waves: At an open end, the standing wave has a (displacement) antinode, where the molecules are free to move. At a closed end, the standing wave has a (displacement) node, where the wall prevents molecules from moving along the pipe.

Real-world example 🌍

Think of a crowd at a concert, with people pushing forward to get closer to the stage. If the crowd suddenly finds a wide-open space (like an open end of a pipe), they would spread out quickly, accelerating until they're moving at their highest speed. This is similar to a compression wave reaching the open end of a pipe.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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