Wave Terms: Cycle, Frequency, Resonance, Sympathetic Vibration, Timbre

[StaticShock]

I am studying for a test based on concepts and defintions of wave terms. Please help me define the following:

Cycle
Frequency
Resonance
Sympathetic vibration
Timbre


The definitions or a site where I can find many definitions of those terms would be greatly appricated.

Thanks.

 

[Mattara]

Try to explain them as well as you can here and we will correct you :P

 

[quicknote]

I would be happy to help you define these wave terms for your upcoming test.

1. Cycle: A cycle is a single complete oscillation or vibration of a wave, which starts and ends at the same point on the wave. It represents one full repetition of the wave's pattern.

2. Frequency: Frequency is the number of cycles or vibrations that occur in a given amount of time. It is typically measured in Hertz (Hz), which represents the number of cycles per second.

3. Resonance: Resonance is the phenomenon that occurs when an object or system is forced to vibrate at its natural frequency by another object or system. This results in a large amplitude of vibration and can lead to amplification of the original wave.

4. Sympathetic vibration: Sympathetic vibration is a type of resonance that occurs when one object vibrates in response to another object vibrating at the same frequency. This can happen when two objects are in close proximity to each other.

5. Timbre: Timbre refers to the quality or character of a sound or musical note. It is what allows us to distinguish between different instruments or voices playing the same note. Timbre is influenced by factors such as the shape and material of the object producing the sound, as well as the presence of overtones.

I would recommend checking out a physics or sound-related textbook for more detailed definitions and explanations of these terms. You can also find reliable definitions and information on reputable websites such as Physics Classroom or Hyperphysics. Good luck on your test!