Exam 2: Complex Tones

Question 1

How does a complex tone cause air particles to vibrate?

Answer 1

In a very complex manner, NOT in simple harmonic motion (SHM).

Question 2

What effect does a pure tone have on air particles?

Answer 2

A pure tone causes the air particles to vibrate in simple harmonic motion (SHM)

Question 3

Complex sound is made up of more than 1 _______. How does this effect the air molecules?

Answer 3

1. Frequency

2. It causes the air molecules to vibrate in a complex manner.

Question 4

Why is a complex periodic sound complex?

Why is a complex periodic sound periodic? What makes the sound periodic?

Answer 4

1. It is complex because it generates more than 1 frequency.
2. The sound is considered to be periodic because it generates the frequencies in a predictable manner as long as the sound source lasts.

Question 5

Give EXs of complex periodic sound (6)

Answer 5

1. Guitar
2. Violin
3. Trumpet
4. Tuba
5. Piano
6. Vocal folds

Question 6

Define complex aperiodic sound.

Answer 6

A complex sound made up of randomly occurring frequencies, generated at random intensities (random loudness volumes). These sounds are not predictable.

Question 7

Complex aperiodic sound is generally considered to be _______.

Answer 7

Unpleasant

Question 8

List examples of complex aperiodic sound (2)

Answer 8

1. Car engine

2. Weedeater

Question 9

Types of aperiodic complex sound (2)

Answer 9

1. Transient

2. Continuous

Question 10

Define transient aperiodic complex sound and give an example.

Answer 10

A very brief sound. Examples include a clap, dropping a book on a table, or dropping a glass on a tile floor.

Question 11

What is the difference between a complex periodic sound and a complex aperiodic sound?

Answer 11

A complex periodic sound has periodicity. A complex aperiodic sound lacks periodicity.

Question 12

Define continuous complex aperiodic sound. Give examples.

Answer 12

A long-lasting sound. Examples include a weedeater, phonemes: /s/, /p/, /k/

Question 13

What type of sound are vowels and dipthongs?

Answer 13

Complex periodic

Question 14

A line spectrum is another way to represent what?

Answer 14

A sine wave

Question 15

Define fundamental frequency.

Answer 15

The lowest component frequency of a complex periodic sound.

Question 16

If you have a fundamental frequency of a 100 Hz, what would:
f2 = 
f3 =
f4 =
?

Answer 16

f2 = 2 X 100 = 200 Hz
f3 = 3 X 100 = 300 Hz
f4 = 4 X 100 = 400 Hz

Question 17

We hear the fundamental frequency of the vocal folds, as…

Answer 17

pitch

Question 18

If I have vocal folds that vibrate at 100 Hz (f0), each 
1/2 would vibrate at?
1/3 would vibrate at?
1/4 would vibrate at?
1/5 would vibrate at?

Answer 18

The entire vocal fold would vibrate at 100 Hz.
Each 1/2 = 200 X /s
Each 1/3 = 300 X /s
Each 1/4 = 400 X/s
Each 1/5 = 500 X/s

Question 19

Draw a line spectrum of a 100 Hz pure tone.

Answer 19

See notes

Question 20

Describe the relationship between the frequencies of harmonics and their intensities.

Answer 20

As the frequencies of the harmonics increases, their intensity decreases. A 200 Hz harmonic is not as loud as a 100 Hz harmonic.

Question 21

Draw a line spectrum of a 100 Hz COMPLEX tone.

Answer 21

See notes

Question 22

Define wavelength.

Answer 22

The distance that one cycle of vibration travels.

Question 23

Define period.

Answer 23

The time it takes for one cycle of vibration to occur.

Question 24

The fundamental frequency is not only the loudest sound but it also has the ____________ ________.

Answer 24

Longest wavelength

Question 25

The harmonics of a fundamental frequency have a much ______ wavelength.

Answer 25

Shorter

Question 26

A resonator by definition has to be….

Answer 26

set into vibration by something other itself.

Question 27

Define a broadly tuned resonator and give an example.

Answer 27

A resonator that RESPONDS to a broad range of frequencies, and when the outside force causing this type of resonator to vibrate stops, the resonance of the object ends immediately. An example of this type of resonator are the vocal folds.

Question 28

Define a narrowly tuned resonator and give an example.

Answer 28

A resonator that responds to only one resonating frequency. It will keep vibrating until the sound dampens out due to friction. Example: tuning fork