Suppose three tuning forks of frequencies 260 Hz, 261 Hz, and 262 Hz were placed on a table and allowed to vibrate freely in an air-filled room at sea level under constant conditions (same temperature, pressure). Given these circumstances, we can predict the resulting sound pattern based solely on the properties of standing waves.

Firstly, let's consider what happens when only one tuning fork is sounded. In this case, it will produce a pure tone with its fundamental frequency corresponding to 260 Hz for our first example.

Next, suppose two different forks were struck simultaneously - say, Fork A (261 Hz) and another unknown fork B. If the frequencies of these two forks are very close but not identical, then destructive interference would occur between their respective standing waves. This means that at certain points in space-time where both wave patterns overlap constructively (i.e., crest meets trough), there will be regions with zero amplitude - essentially 'silent zones' or nodes.

Now let's consider what happens when three tuning forks are sounded together: one fork vibrating at 260 Hz and two other identical ones tuned slightly apart by small intervals. Since all three strings have the same fundamental frequency but differ only in their overtones due to slight differences during manufacture, we would expect a rich harmonic series consisting mainly of octaves with superimposed beats resulting from interference between adjacent harmonics.

To conclude: if you ever find yourself alone late at night surrounded by nothing except for three tuning forks hung from ceiling fixtures and suddenly hear an eerie symphony filling your ears - just remember that the laws governing standing waves have come alive!