Describe the wave behaviour at an open pipe's end.

At an open pipe's end, the wave behaviour is characterised by the formation of an antinode.

In more detail, an open pipe, such as a flute or an organ pipe, is a musical instrument that produces sound through the vibration of air columns inside it. The wave behaviour at the end of an open pipe is quite fascinating. When a wave reaches the open end of the pipe, it is not reflected back into the pipe as it would be at a closed end. Instead, it escapes into the surrounding air. However, a small portion of the wave is reflected back into the pipe, causing interference with the incoming waves. This interference creates a standing wave pattern within the pipe.

The open end of the pipe is a point of maximum vibration, known as an antinode. This is because the air at the open end is free to vibrate, and so it does, creating a pressure variation that is maximum at the open end and minimum at the closed end. This pressure variation is what we perceive as sound. The frequency of the sound produced depends on the length of the pipe and the speed of sound in air.

In terms of wave behaviour, the open end of the pipe is also a point of minimum pressure, or a pressure node. This is because the air particles at the open end are free to move, and so they do, creating a pressure variation that is minimum at the open end and maximum at the closed end. This pressure variation is what we perceive as sound.

The wave behaviour at the open end of a pipe is crucial in determining the pitch of the sound produced by the pipe. The longer the pipe, the lower the frequency of the sound produced, and vice versa. This is because the length of the pipe determines the length of the standing wave, and the frequency of the sound is inversely proportional to the length of the standing wave.

In summary, the wave behaviour at the open end of a pipe is characterised by the formation of an antinode, a point of maximum vibration and minimum pressure. This behaviour is crucial in determining the pitch of the sound produced by the pipe.