Chapter 10, Problem 18STP

To determine

To compare: the way a violin, a flute and a drum produce sound waves and what acts a resonator in each instrument.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The flute has a column like structure and the air vibrates in it to produce sound. The violin has strings and the air vibrates through the string to produce sound waves. The kettle drum has a membrane which vibrates when hit by a stick and thus produces sound.

A flute has hole in the column and when a stream of air is passed through the hole, it creates vibration of air and thus sound is produced. The air within the tube of column is the actual resonator of flute.

In violin sound is produced by moving the bow over the string or by plucking it with right hand. The strings of violin are connected to a hollow wooden body of the instrument and there is air between them. The air inside the system vibrates thus amplifying the sound. The air inside the body acts as the resonator and is commonly known as Helmholtz resonator.

In kettle drum is an instrument which has a membrane stretched over o shell type body and adjusted and held by screws. When struck by sticks or hands, the membrane produces sound as the air vibrates. The resonator is the center or bottom of the body and the air filled in it.