[Physics] Frequency of a Tuning Fork

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Question: Which of the following affect the frequency of a tuning fork?

  • Tine stiffness
  • Tine length
  • The force with which it's struck
  • Density of the surrounding air
  • Temperature of the surrounding air

Answer Attempt: Based on the formula for the frequency, I know that tine stiffness (or density) affects it, and so does the tine length. I believe the temperature and density of air can have a slight affect as well. What about the force with which it's struck?

Best Answer

Nope. The frequency of the tuning fork doesn't depend on the force with which it's struck. Every tuning fork has its own desired frequency. And hence, people usually say, "Hey - take that fork, the one with 432 Hz (an example) on it...".

The oscillations usually get damped out after some period. But, the frequency still remains the same... Usually, the frequency of a tuning fork depends only on the property of its material.


If you have a look at the Wikipedia article on frequency, the frequency turns out to be

$$F \propto \frac{1}{l^2}\sqrt{\frac{EI}{\rho A}},$$

where $F$ is the frequency, $l$ is the length of the tines, $E$ is the Young's modulus of the material (which is related to stiffness), $I$ is the second moment of area of the tines (which is related to inertia), $A$ is the cross-sectional area of the tines and $\rho$ is the density of the material.

This clearly shows that the parameters are all the properties of the material from which the fork is made, as well as its shape.

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