In an acoustic standing wave formed inside a closed-open tube, what is present at the closed end boundary?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. A displacement node and a pressure antinode

  1. Step 1: Air molecules cannot displace past the rigid wall, enforcing a displacement node (zero motion). Step 2. Because molecules bunch up against the rigid boundary, pressure fluctuations reach maximum (pressure antinode). Answer: A displacement node and a pressure antinode. Why not the others: Displacement nodes always correspond to pressure antinodes in longitudinal standing acoustic waves.

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