Sound waves - Combined Frequencies

[zebra1707]

Homework Statement

Two tuning forks 384Hz and 256Hz.

The question asks - would the sound of the combined frequencies be more similar to the 256 or 384Hz tuning fork. Estimate the frequency of the complex wave (noting that the pattern is repeated over three times).

We are given two CRO traces (one 256Hz and one 384Hz tuning fork trace) and at the bottom of the CRO trace picture there appears to be a scale of 0.25 V/Div 5.005 ms/Div

Homework Equations

384Hz - 256Hz = will give you a beats per minute of 128

384Hz + 256/2 = will give you 320Hz at which the ear can hear.

However I cannot locate an equation that will assess whether the combined sound is closer to 256 or 384Hz.

The Attempt at a Solution

As above

 

[zebra1707]

Any help here would be great.

Cheers

 

[kerimek]

, the equation (384Hz - 256Hz) gives a beat frequency of 128 beats per minute. This indicates that the two tuning forks are not perfectly in tune with each other, as the beat frequency should be 0 if they were in tune.

To answer the question of which tuning fork the combined frequency is more similar to, we can look at the relative amplitudes of the two tuning forks. If the amplitude of the 384Hz tuning fork is larger, then the combined frequency will be closer to 384Hz. Likewise, if the amplitude of the 256Hz tuning fork is larger, then the combined frequency will be closer to 256Hz.

To estimate the frequency of the complex wave, we can use the equation (384Hz + 256Hz)/2, which gives a frequency of 320Hz. This is the average frequency between the two tuning forks and represents the frequency at which the ear can hear the combination of the two frequencies.

However, it is important to note that the actual frequency of the complex wave may not be exactly 320Hz, as there may be interference patterns and other factors that can affect the overall frequency. This is why it is important to perform multiple trials and average the results to get a more accurate estimate of the combined frequency.