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Chapter 6: Problem 25

Describe the waveforms of pure tones, complex tones, and noise.

Short Answer

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Question: Describe the waveforms of pure tones, complex tones, and noise, and provide an example of each type of sound. Answer: Pure tones have simple, sinusoidal waveforms representing a single frequency, such as a tuning fork or a single piano note. Complex tones are combinations of multiple pure tones, resulting in more irregular waveforms, like those found in a guitar or violin sound. Noise has random fluctuations in amplitude and frequency, creating chaotic waveforms and lacking clearly defined pitches, such as the sound of wind or static from a poorly tuned radio station.

Step by step solution

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1. Pure tones

Pure tones are simple, sinusoidal waveforms that represent only a single frequency. The frequency of the waveform determines the pitch of the sound. These sounds are characterized by their simple and smooth shape, and are generated by a single, continuous frequency component. Examples of pure tones include a tuning fork or a single note played on a piano.
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2. Complex tones

Complex tones are combinations of multiple pure tones. These tones occur when two or more sinusoidal waves, with different frequencies, are added together. The result is a waveform that appears more irregular and complicated than that of a pure tone. Complex tones make up most of the sounds we hear every day. Examples include musical instruments with rich harmonic content, like a guitar or a violin, or human speech.
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3. Noise

Noise is characterized by random fluctuations in amplitude and frequency, which makes the waveform appear chaotic and unpredictable. Unlike pure and complex tones, noise does not have clearly defined pitches or frequencies. Instead, it contains a broad range of frequencies that are unrelated to each other. Examples of noise include the sound of the wind, waves crashing on the shore, or the static from a poorly tuned radio station.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The highest musical note on the piano has a frequency of 4,186 \(\mathrm{Hz}\). Why would a tape of piano music sound terrible if played on a tape player that reproduces frequencies only up to \(5,000 \mathrm{~Hz} ?\)

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A long row of people are lined up behind one another at a service window. Joe E. Clumsy stumbles into the back of the person at the end and pushes hard enough to generate a wave in the people waiting. What type of wave is produced?

A \(100-\mathrm{Hz}\) pure tone at a \(70-\mathrm{dB}\) sound level and a \(1,000-\mathrm{Hz}\) pure tone at the same sound level are heard separately. Do they sound equally loud? If not, which is louder, and why?

What is the difference between a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave? Give an example of each.
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