SS2 Third Term Physics Lesson Note – Application of Sound Waves

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WEEK: 10

TOPIC:  APPLICATION OF SOUND WAVES: (MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS)

CONTENTS

1. Wind instruments
2. String instruments
3. Percussion instruments

Sub topic 1: Wind instruments

Wind instruments are classified as aerophones. They produce sounds when air is blown into them. Sound is produced in these instruments because the air column in them vibrates. Whether the instrument is a closed pipe or an open pipe, the air column determines the quality of the note produced. The frequency ‘f’ of the note depends mainly on the length ‘ ’ of the vibrating column and it is inversely proportional to it, i.e . a short column of air will produce a high pitch while a long column of air will produce a high pitch. Typical examples of wind instruments are, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, mouth organ e.t.c

Sub topic 2: String instruments

String instruments are also called chordophones. They are instruments that use stretched strings or chords and operates based on the equation:

. This means that the frequency is inversely proportional to the length ‘  ‘of the string, directly proportional to the square root of the tension ‘T’ on the string and inversely proportional to the square root of the mass ‘m’ per unit length of the string. For example, vibrating length of a thick and loose guitar string will produce a low frequency note. But thin, short and taut strings will produce high frequency notes. These instruments produce sound as a result of the vibrations of the strings in them. The strings of these instruments can vibrate as a whole and also in loops so that both fundamental and various harmonics are produced. The quality of the sound produced is upon the combination of the fundamental harmonic and other harmonics. Typical examples of string instruments are; sonometer, the guitar, the piano, violin, harps.

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