If a vibrating string is shortened to half its length, the pitch becomes what?

Prepare for the Academic Decathlon Music Test with quizzes covering key topics. Practice with flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations to enhance your understanding and boost exam readiness.

Multiple Choice

If a vibrating string is shortened to half its length, the pitch becomes what?

Explanation:
Pitch comes from how fast the string vibrates. For a string fixed at both ends with the same tension and mass per length, the fundamental vibration frequency is inversely related to the length. If you shorten the string to half its length, the fundamental wavelength becomes shorter, and with the same wave speed, the frequency doubles. Doubling the frequency raises the pitch by an octave, so the note sounds twice as high.

Pitch comes from how fast the string vibrates. For a string fixed at both ends with the same tension and mass per length, the fundamental vibration frequency is inversely related to the length. If you shorten the string to half its length, the fundamental wavelength becomes shorter, and with the same wave speed, the frequency doubles. Doubling the frequency raises the pitch by an octave, so the note sounds twice as high.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy