A flute and a violin produce notes having the same fundamental frequency and the same measured intensity at a listener. The listener can still distinguish the two instruments. What is the main physical reason?
Options

Question

A flute and a violin produce notes having the same fundamental frequency and the same measured intensity at a listener. The listener can still distinguish the two instruments. What is the main physical reason?

Options

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For waves travelling in the same air, v = fλ. If the frequencies are the same, their fundamental wavelengths are also the same. The characteristic difference between the two sounds is their quality or timbre. Timbre depends on the relative strengths and phases of the harmonics present in the waveform. Correct option: C.