The Physics of Music
Physics 123
Fall 2003
Instructor: William Andersen
Science 202B
Phone: 562–2355
email: William.Andersen@enmu.edu
Lecture: 9:00–9:50 MWF, Science 210
Lab: 9:00–11:20 T, Science 205
Office hours: to be announced
Required:
• textbook: The Science of Sound by Thomas R. Rossing, 2nd edition.
• calculator: preferably with logarithm function.
• access to internet
Attendance:
• Students are responsible for all material presented in class, including announcements about changes in
course procedures and schedule. Access to the internet is also required since grades and announcements
will be posted on Blackboard. You should check Blackboard daily
Homework:
• 25% of the final grade will be based on homework.
• Solutions will be posted on Blackboard.
• Do not assume that the grader will catch all errors you might make. You are ultimately responsible
for determining whether you have understood the ideas we discuss in class.
• Late assignments: except in the case of illness, arrangements should be made in advance.
Exams:
• There will be two one hour exams and a final exam.
• Each exam accounts for 25% of the course grade.
• Exam dates are on the syllabus but are subject to change.
• Bring your calculator and a scantron card to exams.
Course grade:
• All exams and homework must be completed in order to complete this course.
• Grades are based on the standard 100 point scale with 15 point grade windows.
Date
Aug.
Sept.
Topic
Tenative Schedule
Text
25 What is Physics?
27 describing the big and the small
29 measurement and conversions
1
2
3
5
A:2
A:1
Labor Day
Lab: Speed of Sound by Direct Measurement
graphing and interpreting graphs
A:4
describing motion: velocity
1:2, 3
Assignment
1:3, 4
1:8
8
9
11
12
describing motion: acceleration
Lab: The Pendulum
natural motion
dynamics: force and motion
1:4
1:2, 5
1:4
1:5
1:6
15
16
17
19
fluid dynamics:density and pressure
Lab: Natural Motion
the work-energy theorem, power
periodic motion
1:6
1:9
1:7, 8
2:1–3
1:10, 12
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
22
23
24
26
EXAM I
Lab: Density
simple harmonic motion
Fourier’s theorem
29
30
1
3
normal modes of vibration
Lab: Simple Harmonic Motion
describing wave motion
the principle of superposition
2:4, 5, 6
2:6
3:1, 2
3:3, 4
3:1, 5
3:4, 6
6
7
8
10
sound waves, wave properties
Lab: Resonance
wave properties
resonance
3:5–12
3:9, 10, 11
3:5–12
4:1, 2
4:1
13
14
15
17
standing waves
Lab: Sound Off
structure and function of the ear
stimulus and perception
4:3–9
4:3, 4, 6, 7
5:1–5
5:6–8
5:1, 2
5:8, 9
20
21
22
24
stimulus and perception
Lab: Vibrating Strings
assessment day
loudness, frequency effects, masking
6:1-3
6: 3
27
28
29
31
pitch and frequency
Lab: The Oscilloscope
EXAM II
pitch and frequency
7:1–10
7:1
7:1–10
7:12
3
4
5
7
physical basis of harmony
8:1–4
Lab: The Speed of Sound by Tube Resonance
dissonance and consonance
8:6–10
musical scales
9:1–4
10
11
12
14
the equal tempered scale
Lab: Pitch Perception
string instruments
brass instruments
17
18
19
21
woodwinds
Lab: Vibration of Bars and Stuff
percussian instruments
keyboard instruments
24
25
26
28
speech production
New Lab
singing
Thanksgiving Holiday
1
2
3
5
2:1–3
2:7
tying it all together
no lab
review
review
11 EXAM III 12:30 am–2:30 pm Thursday
8:2
9:5
9:5
9:1, 2
10:1–16
11:1–12
11:1, 2
12:1-12
12:1
13:1–16
14:1–13
13:8
14:1
15:1–10,16:1–9 15:1
17:1–8
27–28 November