Elon University

Physics 105 Martin Kamela, Summer 2009

Sound Shape

waves can have different shapes of the wave determines the tone quality We can relate complex looking waves to sinusoidal waves by using the ideas of superposition and interference Each complex looking wave has a unique set of sinusoidal was that make it up.

Lets

look at and listen to a 220 Hz wave

Analysis of complex waves: the square wave

 The

next harmonics are: f2 = 440 Hz , f3 = 660 Hz , f4 = 880 Hz , f5 = 1100 Hz , f6 = 1320 Hz , f7 = 1540 Hz , f8 = 1760 Hz

The

shape is rectangular, and the frequency is 220 Hz.

Use

f1 + 1/3 f3

Analysis of complex waves: the square wave

 Use

f1 + 1/3 f3 + 1/5 f5

Physics 175

5 component waves
Use

Use f1 + 1/3 f3 + 1/5 f5 + 1/7 f7 + 1/9 f9

10 component waves
Use: f1 + 1/3 f3 + 1/5 f5 + 1/7 f7 + 1/9 f9 + 1/11 f11 + 1/13 f13 + 1/15 f15 + 1/17 f17 + 1/19 f19

Analysis of complex waves: the square wave

20 component waves

100 component waves

100

component waves:

Square wave:

Constructing

a complex wave out of sinusoidal waves, by superposition and interference The sinusoidal waves are in a harmonic sequence, i.e., the frequencies of higher waves are integer multiples of the lowest The ratio of amplitudes of the different harmonics determines the quality of the sound
Physics 175

Analysis of complex waves: the square wave

 Starting

with a complex looking wave, we decompose it into the component sinusoidal waves The sinusoidal waves are in a harmonic sequence, i.e. higher frequencies are integer multiples of the lowest Any complex wave can be analyzed in this way

Computer We

programs do the analysis for us must be careful with the scales:

The amplitude scale may not be linear (first example to follow) The amplitude and the frequency scales may not be linear (the second example to follow)

Physics 175

Analysis of complex waves: the square wave

Analysis of complex waves: the square wave