Basic wave phenomena

Wave phenomena: most things which happen with waves involve one or more of the following phenomena.

  1. Reflection
  2. Interference
  3. Refraction
  4. Diffraction

Describe the four basic wave phenomena in concept and by example.

How are beats produced? What can you learn from the beat frequency?

*Reflection

*Interference

*Refraction

*Diffraction

*Beats

*Subjective tones

*State Patrol radar

*Heterodyne principle

*Doppler effect

*Doppler pulse detection

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Resonance

What is meant by resonance? a resonant frequency? Why are resonant frequencies important?

Describe the resonance of a mass on a spring. What determines its resonant frequency?

How does a plucked guitar string know what frequency to produce? How is the resonant frequency of a string determined?

How do you calculate the resonant frequency of a vibrating string? open and closed air columns?

What properties determine the resonant frequency of a cavity like a coke bottle?

Does a cavity have harmonics like a string or other resonant objects?

What is a bass reflex loudspeaker? Why do you have to tune the port of such a bass speaker?

What part does cavity resonance play in human speech? How can you change or control these resonances?

*Resonance

*Mass on spring

*Simple harmonic motion

*Standing waves

*Phase

*Phase change upon reflection

*String

*Air column

*Open air column

*Closed air column

*Conical column

*Cavity resonance

*Coke bottle

*Bass reflex speaker

*Overtones and harmonics

*Rectangular membrane

*Circular membrane

*Voice resonance

*Vocal formants

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Introduction to the ear and hearing

How soft a sound can a human hear under optimum conditions?

What parts of the ear act to increase the sensitivity of hearing?

What parts of the ear act to protect the ear against loud sounds?

How does the ear detect pitch?

*Audible sound

*The ear

*Ear as preamp

*Protective mechanisms

*Pitch

*Place theory

*Hair cells

*Sharpening

*Georg von Bekesy

*Loudness

*Quality

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