Science · 6 pages · 12 min
Why an organ pipe has a pitch
The pipe fits a standing wave, and that wavelength is the note you hear.
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From the opening
An organ pipe has a pitch because the air inside settles into a standing wave whose wavelength fits the pipe. The frequency of that wave, set by the speed of sound, is the note. The opening covers a standing wave fitted to the length, open pipes versus stopped pipes, and why cold air sags the pitch.
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Inside
- A standing wave fitted to the length
- Open pipes versus stopped pipes
- Why cold air sags the pitch
- Length, not the amount of air
- Where the idea stops applying
- A distinction worth keeping
Sources
- Standing waves in open and stopped air columns
- End correction and the speaking length of a flue pipe