Nature of Sound (Appendix A)

Question 1

What are the five basic qualities of a sound wave?

Answer 1

Frequency, wavelength, amplitude, waveform, and phase

Question 2

Define frequency

Answer 2

The number of times per second the cycle of the sound wave repeats (Hz)

Question 3

What the frequency range of human hearing?

Answer 3

20 Hz to 20,000 Hz

Question 4

Define wavelength

Answer 4

The physical distance covered by one complete cycle of a sound wave

Question 5

What is the speed of sound at sea level at 60°F?

Answer 5

344m/sec

Question 6

Define amplitude

Answer 6

The energy (experienced as volume) in a sound wave, measured in decibels.

Question 7

Define waveform

Answer 7

The shape of a sound wave

Question 8

Spell the first 16 notes of the harmonic series

Answer 8

1 (fundamental)
1 5
1 3 5 7
1 2 3 #4 5 6 b7 7
1

Question 9

Which notes of the harmonic series are considered overtones or partials?

Answer 9

Every note after the fundamental

Question 10

Why do lower interval limits exist?

Answer 10

When played together, lower notes may have more audible upper overtones that sound dissonant or muddy.

Higher notes do not share this problem because the overtones are less audible.

Question 11

Define phase

Answer 11

The measure of how far a sound wave has travelled in its cycle—measured in degrees from 0° to 360°.

Question 12

Define resonance

Answer 12

The physical transference of vibration from one source to another object.

Question 13

Define reflection

Answer 13

The collision of a sound wave with another object, absorbing some energy and reflecting in a new direction.

Question 14

Define reverberation

Answer 14

The remaining, audible reflections after a sound has stopped transmitting.

Question 15

Define standing waves

Answer 15

Wave patterns formed from interference between reflections of a sound wave, i.e. a guitar string.

Standing waves are the origin of harmonics.