Two piano strings are supposed to be vibrating at 220 Hz, but a piano tuner hears three beats every 3.2 s when they are played together. f one is vibrating at 220 Hz, what must be the frequency of the other (is there only one answer)

Question

Maren Daugherty

Physics

18 September, 22:22

Two piano strings are supposed to be vibrating at 220 Hz, but a piano tuner hears three beats every 3.2 s when they are played together. f one is vibrating at 220 Hz, what must be the frequency of the other (is there only one answer)

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Patricia Scott · Answer 1

The frequency beat is give n by the expression:

fb = | f1 - f2 | (1)

that is, the absolute value of the difference between the frequencies of the waves. But also the fb is the radio between beats and time:

fb = beats/time = 3/3.2 = 0.93 Hz

By replacing in the formula (1):

f2 = 220 Hz + 0.93 Hz = 220.93 Hz

f2 = 220 Hz - 0.93 Hz = 219.07 Hz

But we take the value 220.93 Hz ≈ 221 HZ because a piano can support this frequency.