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.