Tuning fork
Description
A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the prongs (tines) formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal (usually steel). It resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object, and emits a pure musical tone after waiting a moment to allow some high overtones to die out. The pitch that a particular tuning fork generates depends on the length and mass of the two prongs and of the material from which it is made. It is frequently used as a standard of pitch to tune musical instruments.
Related formulasVariables
f | Frequency the fork vibrates at (hertz) |
π | pi |
l | Length of the prongs. (m) |
E | Young's modulus of the material the fork is made from (Pa) |
I | Second moment of area of the cross-section (m4) |
ρ | Density of the material the fork is made from (kg/m3) |
A | Cross-sectional area of the prongs (tines) (m2) |