Physics of Sound

Summary

The "Physics of Sound" topic consists of five lessons. Concepts within each topic may be familiar to students who have taken general physics courses, but these reviews are focused toward applying important scientific concepts and vocabulary within the context of sound and music.

Lessons

1. Frequency and Pitch

• Vocabulary
• Hertz (Hz)
• frequency
• tone
• pitch
• A4 (A440)
• octave
• whole steps (whole tones)
• half steps (semitones)

2. Harmonic/Overtone Series

• Vocabulary
• waveform (simple vs. complex)
• harmonic/overtone series
• overtone
• partial
• harmonic
• fundamental frequency
• timbre

3. Amplitude, Intensity, and Loudness

• Vocabulary
• amplitude
• intensity
• loudness
• decibels

4. Noise

• Vocabulary
• white noise
• pink noise

5. Objective/Subjective

6. Frequency of Musical Notes

• Vocabulary
• harmonics
• 440 Hz tuning standard
• octave equivalence
• equal temperament
• twelfth root of two
• negative exponent