Physics Year 11 - Module 3 - Lesson 11

Standing Waves in Pipes

Use this worksheet after reading the lesson to practise the key ideas and prove you can meet the success criteria.

Name

Date

Class

1. Key Ideas

Air columns can resonate just like strings, but the ends matter. Open pipes allow antinodes at both ends, while closed pipes force a node at the closed end and an antinode at the open end. That difference changes the harmonics the pipe can support.

How standing waves form in open and closed pipes
Why the end conditions change the allowed patterns

2. Success Criteria

By the end, you should be able to:

How standing waves form in open and closed pipes
The boundary conditions at open and closed ends
That open pipes allow all harmonics

3. Key Terms

Both endsdisplacement antinodes, so all harmonics are allowed: $n = 1, 2, 3,

the pipeopen at both ends, such as many flute-type models

only odd modesallowed: $n = 1, 3, 5,

one endclosed, such as bottle or didgeridoo-style models

patternnot allowed in a closed pipe

Vectors and scalarsjust different ways of writing the same thing

4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map

Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.

Prompt	Your answer
Main concept
Important example
Common mistake to avoid
How this links to the next lesson

5. Short Answer Questions

1. 7. Explain the difference in boundary conditions between an open pipe and a closed pipe.

Band 33 marks

2. 8. An open pipe has length 0.75 m. Find the wavelength of the second harmonic.

Band 43 marks

3. 9. A closed pipe has length 0.90 m. Find the wavelength of the fundamental and explain why even harmonics are absent.

Band 54 marks

6. Extend: Apply the Idea

Band 5/65 marks

A student gives a memorised answer about Standing Waves in Pipes but does not use evidence or reasoning.

Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.

7. Multiple Choice

1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Standing Waves in Pipes?

A. Identify the key concept being tested

B. Write every fact from memory

C. Ignore the command word

D. Skip examples and evidence

2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Standing Waves in Pipes?

A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning

B. A copied definition only

C. A single-word response

D. An answer with no example

3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?

A. Link the idea to a reason or cause

B. List unrelated facts

C. Only draw a diagram

D. Write the shortest possible answer

8. Success Criteria Proof

Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.

Success criterion 1

Prove that you can: How standing waves form in open and closed pipes

Band 32 marks

Success criterion 2

Prove that you can: The boundary conditions at open and closed ends