The Physics of a Guitar

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Introduction: The guitar is a typical string instrument, whose physics are similar to many other string instruments. The main parts consist of the body, the neck, the bridge, the tuning pegs, the sound hole, and the strings. An electric guitar lacks the sound hole and instead relies on an amp for amplification. The physics of a guitar involves sound waves, how they are amplified, and how they travel. Strings: The vibration of the strings of a guitar causes the sound wave, but is not actually what you are hearing. The amplification of the sound wave is what is actually heard. The differences in the tension of the stings and the mass of the strings affect the pitch of the sound produced. The ends of each string are nodes, or where the wave does not travel from its initial position. The note you hear from the string is actually the first harmonic of the wave; other harmonics created when plucking a string form the undertones and overtones of a note. The waves on a guitar string are transverse waves, meaning they travel perpendicular to the original position. The waves are also standing waves, because they remain in the same position. Strings are tuned to match certain harmonics, and frets are carefully placed to create certain frequencies. For a standard guitar with 24 frets, it would be calculated so that there are two octaves, divided at the twelfth fret. The ratio between two adjacent frets is equal to the square root of two on a guitar with twenty-four frets. This ensures that certain notes can be produced, while keeping the length of the six strings equal. If a guitar has more frets then calculating their distance becomes more complicated. The differences in tension to produce different pitches are created by tuning the g... ... middle of paper ... ... Physics." .::. The Pysics of Electric Guitars :: Physics. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. . "Helmholtz Resonance." Helmholtz Resonance. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. . "The Physics Of Guitar." The Physics Of Guitar. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. . "The Physics of the Acoustic Guitar - Body." The Physics of the Acoustic Guitar - Body. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. . "Simple Guitar Physics." Simple Guitar Physics. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. . "Standing Waves and Musical Instruments." Connexions. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. .

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