Question

When you listen to the sound produced by a tuning fork and the sound produced by a sitar, you find that tuning fork and the sound flat whereas the sitar sounds shrill. Why?

Answer 1

A tuning fork is used to produce sound. When you strike one of the prongs against a rubber pad, the tuning fork produces a sound. The fork vibrates to produce a sound. The pitch of sound is low, which is produced with a low frequency and the sound is flat.

It produces of single frequency called the basic or fundamental frequency. So a flat sound is produced.

Low frequency – low pitch- grave or flat sound

Sitar is a string instrument in which sound is produced by vibrating strings (usually metal wires). The frequency of the sound produced depends on the tightness of the string. As you tighten the string, it vibrates faster and produces a shriller sound.

It produce a mixture of sound of other frequencies called harmonics. Hence it gives a shrill sound.

High frequency – High pitch- shrill sound

With the help of flow chart, explain the working of human ear.