Handout
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: The Human Ear

For Students 9th - 10th
Informative article on the human ear. Describes the parts and function of the ear. Explains how the ear functions when listening to music.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves & Music: Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction

For Students 9th - 10th
In this illustrated physics tutorial, students learn about sound wave behaviors and apply them to the reflection, diffraction, and refraction of sound waves.
Unit Plan
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Behavior of Sound Waves: Interference and Beats

For Students 9th - 10th
This tutorial looks at the behavior of sound waves, specifically focusing upon sound interference and beats. Learn more about it and then take a short quiz to check your understanding.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music: Open End Air Columns

For Students 9th - 10th
Through illustrated diagrams and interactive practice examples, students explore the physics of sound in open-end air column musical instruments.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music: Closed End Air Columns

For Students 9th - 10th
Through illustrated diagrams and interactive practice examples, students explore the physics of sound in closed-end air column musical instruments.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music:fundamental Frequency and Harmonics

For Students 9th - 10th
For musical instruments and other objects that vibrate in regular and periodic fashion, the harmonic frequencies are related to each other by simple whole number ratios. Students learn why these whole number ratios exist for a musical...
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music: Resonance

For Students 9th - 10th
The focus of this physics tutorial is on the application of mathematical relationships and standing wave concepts to musical instruments in three general categories of instruments: instruments with vibrating strings, open-end air column...
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music: Standing Wave Patterns

For Students 9th - 10th
Elaborate on the essential characteristics and the causes of standing wave patterns and relate these patterns to the vibrations of musical instruments.
Website
Other

Mostly Music: Music Physics

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of a variety of physics topics related to music and sound. Topics include vibrations, sound waves, frequency and pitch, resonance and overtones.
Article
Other

The Equal Tempered Scale & Peculiarities of Piano Tuning

For Students 9th - 10th
The author offers a complete explanation of the physics behind piano tuning and why piano tuning is an intricate process. Illustrations and graphs are included.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Sound Waves and Music: Guitar Strings

For Students 9th - 10th
A guitar string has a number of frequencies at which it will naturally vibrate. These natural frequencies are known as the harmonics of the guitar string. Students work through several example problems.
Article
University of New South Wales (Australia)

University of New South Wales: Introduction to Flute Acoustics

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the physics of sound production of a flute. How do things like tone holes and register holes effect the acoustics of a flute? Learn more about that and more at this well researched site.
Article
University of New South Wales (Australia)

University of New South Wales: Introduction to Saxophone Acoustics

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn all about the ways a saxophone produces sound. Discover why the reed, playing softly or loudly and tone holes play important roles in this instruments acoustics.
Website
Other

Avatar Consultants, Inc: Tuning, Scales, and Temperament

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of the composition of complex sounds produced by a musical instrument. Good illustration of how music is applied to physics. Quite a bit of good information, several pages linked together with good definitions as well as...
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: The Timpani

For Students 9th - 10th
A site mostly exploring the hyperphysics of the sound frequencies of the timpani.
Article
University of New South Wales (Australia)

University of New South Wales: Introduction to Acoustics of Brass Instruments

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover the acoustical properties of brass instruments from this well researched site provided by the University of New South Wales. Everything from lip control to bell shape is discussed as it applies to frequencies and harmonics.
Article
Other

French Horn Stopping Why the Pitch Shift?

For Students 9th - 10th
The opening four points of this article point out the 4 special challenges of playing the modern French horn. When the player uses the "stopping mute", he/she must transpose the music down one semitone in order to play in the correct...