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When an instrument plays a note, the resulting sound is a combination of all the possible harmonics for that instrument in its momentary configuration. For instance, a musician changes notes on a violin by pressing the strings against the neck of the instruments, thus shortening the string length and changing the possible harmonics. A given shortened string will play at one time all the possible harmonics allowable by its string length. A given note is the same set of harmonics for all instruments.
Which of the following explains why a human can distinguish between the sound waves of the same note played by different instruments?
A. The frequency is different for each instrument
B. The wavelength is different for each instrument
C. The relative intensities of each harmonic vary differently for the same instrument.
D. The relative wavelengths of each harmonic vary differently for each instrument.
Answer: C
Can someone decipher the paragraph that I wrote above as well as explaining the answer for this question. Still slightly confused with harmonics, standing waves, etc. Thanks!
Which of the following explains why a human can distinguish between the sound waves of the same note played by different instruments?
A. The frequency is different for each instrument
B. The wavelength is different for each instrument
C. The relative intensities of each harmonic vary differently for the same instrument.
D. The relative wavelengths of each harmonic vary differently for each instrument.
Answer: C
Can someone decipher the paragraph that I wrote above as well as explaining the answer for this question. Still slightly confused with harmonics, standing waves, etc. Thanks!
