Harmonics

Mr. Anderson explains harmonics in AP Physics Essentials video 116. He uses a guitar to illustrate how harmonics are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. The video covers standing waves, how wavelength is determined by boundaries and frequency, and how to calculate frequency using wavelength and velocity. Examples and a SimBucket simulation are used to demonstrate these concepts.

What is the fundamental frequency in the context of a guitar string?

• The frequency at which the string vibrates naturally

• The frequency at which the string does not vibrate

• The frequency of the highest note the string can produce

• The frequency of the lowest note the string can produce

What creates standing waves on a string?

• The string being plucked

• Interference of waves traveling in opposite directions

• The length of the string

• The material of the string

How is the wavelength of the fundamental frequency related to the length of the string?

• It is twice the length of the string

• It is equal to the length of the string

• It is unrelated to the length of the string

• It is half the length of the string

What happens to the frequency as the wavelength decreases in higher harmonics?

• The frequency increases

• The frequency becomes zero

• The frequency remains the same

• The frequency decreases

In the simulation, what is the wavelength of the first harmonic if the string is 7.5 meters long?

• 3.75 meters

• 15 meters

• 30 meters

• 7.5 meters

How do you calculate the frequency of a wave if you know its speed and wavelength?

• Divide speed by wavelength

• Add speed and wavelength

• Multiply speed by wavelength

• Subtract wavelength from speed

What is the relationship between harmonics and the number of wavelengths that fit within a boundary?

• Higher harmonics fit fewer wavelengths

• Higher harmonics fit more wavelengths

• Harmonics do not affect the number of wavelengths

• Harmonics are unrelated to wavelengths