Tuning Forks Lab Review
Feb 23, 2016
Tuning Forks Lab Review
Understanding Tuning Forks
• Greater the Frequency = Higher the Pitch• Higher the frequency = the faster it vibrates
• Highestlowest= 480Hz, 426.7Hz, 384Hz, 341.3Hz, 320Hz, 288Hz.
• LOUDNESS is not the same as High Pitch
Mediums• The space that sound waves moves through.• Examples: Air, Helium, Wood, etc.
• Thin surfaces• Sound is louder, but does not vibrate very long.
• Thick surfaces• Sound is quieter, but vibrates for a longer period of time.
Size of tuning fork?
• Tine: the length of the tuning fork.
• The lower frequency tuning forks have longer tines while higher frequency forks have shorter tines.
Shorter the tuning fork, the faster it vibrates = higher the pitch it will be.
Tuning Forks vs. Water
• When a vibrating tuning fork is placed in a cup of water, the energy from the fork is transferred into the water.
• If the fork just touches the water, a small amount of water from the top gains kinetic energy and splashes out.
• If you dip the fork deeply in the water, the vibrations stop.