Sound as a sine wave

Principle

The aim of this experiment is to familiarise the students with the "measure Acoustics" software. First, the students record the sounds of two tuning forks with a microphone. Then, they analyse the frequency spectrum and the course of the amplitude of the recorded signal over time. In the second part of the experiment, the students learn how to generate pure tones with "measure Acoustics" and also how they can change these tones in terms of their frequency and relative amplitude.

Benefits

• Experiment is part of an experiment set with a total of 22 experiments about generation, propagation and perception of sound, oscillations and waves
• Particularly appropriate as an experiment for first contact with physics in general
• With graphic student worksheets
• With detailed instructor information
• Optimized for tight schedules, i.e. minimum preparation time required

Tasks

If one connects a microphone and loudspeakers to a computer, the recording and playback of sound signals can be controlled with the aid of the computer and suitable software.
In the course of this experiment, you will learn how to work with the "measure Acoustics" software.
1. Record the sound signals of two tuning forks with the aid of the software.
2. Produce various different sounds with the computer.

Learning objectives

• Frequency
• Amplitude
• Frequency spectrum
• Course of the amplitude
• Sine wave