Question

The diagram below shows three ways in which the string of an instrument can vibrate.

(i) Which of the above diagrams shows the fundamental note?
(ii) Which has the frequency 4 times that of the fundamental?
(iii) State the ratio between the frequency of the first and second.

Answer 1

(i) The diagram (i) represents the fundamental note because its frequency is lowest and amplitude maximum.
(ii) The diagram: (ii) represents the sound note having frequency four times that of the (i) or fundamental.
(iii) The frequency: (ii) is two times the frequency of (i) so the ratio between the frequencies of (i) and (ii) is 1: 2.