physics of music

how do the vocal cords work to make a sound?

• the air in the lungs moves through the windpipe and vibrates the membranes at a certain frequency

• the tympanic membrane vibrates and the inner ear sends a signal to the brain

the flute, when does it make a loud sound?

• when the musician increases the length of air column

• when the musician blows with more energy into it

you are in a corridor where a standing wave is created. Where would you stand to hear the least amount of sound

• at one of the nodes of the wave

• at one of the troughs of the wave

which of the following pressure wave distributions will set up a standing wave in a closed pipe resonator?

• a

• b

• c

• d

this is a standing wave for a closed pipe resonator. which harmonic n is it?

• n=1

• n=2

• n=3

• n=4

an open pipe resonator has a length of 0.2 m which of the blow is the frequency of the second harmonic ? assume that the speed of sound to be 343 m/s.

• 1200 Hz

• 1700 Hz

• 170 Hz