Nature of Sound (Appendix A) Flashcards

1
Q

What are the five basic qualities of a sound wave?

A

Frequency, wavelength, amplitude, waveform, and phase

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2
Q

Define frequency

A

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

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3
Q

What the frequency range of human hearing?

A

20 Hz to 20,000 Hz

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4
Q

Define wavelength

A

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

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5
Q

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

A

344m/sec

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6
Q

Define amplitude

A

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

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7
Q

Define waveform

A

The shape of a sound wave

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8
Q

Spell the first 16 notes of the harmonic series

A

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

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9
Q

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

A

Every note after the fundamental

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10
Q

Why do lower interval limits exist?

A

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.

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11
Q

Define phase

A

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

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12
Q

Define resonance

A

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

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13
Q

Define reflection

A

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

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14
Q

Define reverberation

A

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

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15
Q

Define standing waves

A

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

Standing waves are the origin of harmonics.

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