For a tube closed at one end, the possible wavelengths are given by , where L is the length of the tube and n is the harmonic number (n=1, 3, 5,... for closed pipes). The question says "fifth harmonic", which corresponds to the harmonic number n=3 in the series of possible harmonics for a closed pipe (1st, 3rd, 5th...). Let's assume "fifth harmonic" means . This would be the 9th overtone which is unusual. Let's assume it means the 5th possible resonant mode.
Let's take "fifth harmonic" to mean the mode with 5 quarter-wavelengths. For a closed pipe, the nth harmonic has a frequency of . The 5th harmonic would be for n=3. Let's assume the question means n=5. Then the mode is the 9th overtone.
This is likely a misstatement, and it means the 2nd overtone, which is the 5th harmonic for an open pipe. Let's assume it's the 5th natural frequency for a closed pipe, which is in the formula . Wait, the harmonics are named by the multiple of the fundamental. So 5th harmonic is . A closed pipe only has odd harmonics. So this is the 5th harmonic.
The length L contains quarter wavelengths. So for the 5th harmonic, is not right. For the nth harmonic . For a closed pipe, only odd n are possible. So the 5th harmonic is when n=5.
So for the 5th harmonic, .
Given cm = 0.5 m.
m = 40 cm.
The phase difference between two points separated by a distance is given by .
One point is at the open end ( ). The other point is at cm from the open end.
The distance between them is cm.
Let's calculate the phase difference.
.
This isn't a simple angle. Let's re-read the question. A standing wave is formed.
In a standing wave, all particles between two consecutive nodes vibrate in phase. And particles in adjacent segments (separated by a node) vibrate in opposite phase ( difference).
The open end is an antinode. The closed end is a node. The positions of the nodes from the open end are at .
With cm, the nodes are at:
cm.
cm.
cm (at the closed end).
The antinodes are at , which are 0 cm, 20 cm, 40 cm.
The points are at the open end ( ) and at cm.
The segment between node at 30cm and node at 50cm contains the point cm. The antinode for this segment is at 40cm.
The point at the open end (x=0) is in the first segment (between x=0 and node at x=10).
The point at x=42cm is in the third segment (between node at x=30 and node at x=50).
The phase relationship is:
Segment 1 (0-10cm): phase
Segment 2 (10-30cm): phase
Segment 3 (30-50cm): phase , which is the same as .
Since the point at x=0 (open end) and the point at x=42 cm are in segments with the same phase, the phase difference between them is 0 or .
Therefore, the phase difference is .