Why does a metal block make a shrill sound but not a wooden block upon hammering?












2












$begingroup$


When hammered, a metal block makes a shrill sound but not a wooden block of identical shape. Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the metal block? If so, why is that? Also why is the vibration of a metallic block more visible than a wooden block? More amplitude?






solid-state-physics acoustics everyday-life elasticity vibrations







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    2












    $begingroup$


    When hammered, a metal block makes a shrill sound but not a wooden block of identical shape. Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the metal block? If so, why is that? Also why is the vibration of a metallic block more visible than a wooden block? More amplitude?






    solid-state-physics acoustics everyday-life elasticity vibrations







    share|cite|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      2












      2








      2


      1



      $begingroup$


      When hammered, a metal block makes a shrill sound but not a wooden block of identical shape. Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the metal block? If so, why is that? Also why is the vibration of a metallic block more visible than a wooden block? More amplitude?






      solid-state-physics acoustics everyday-life elasticity vibrations







      share|cite|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      When hammered, a metal block makes a shrill sound but not a wooden block of identical shape. Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the metal block? If so, why is that? Also why is the vibration of a metallic block more visible than a wooden block? More amplitude?






      solid-state-physics acoustics everyday-life elasticity vibrations




      solid-state-physics acoustics everyday-life elasticity vibrations






      share|cite|improve this question















      share|cite|improve this question













      share|cite|improve this question




      share|cite|improve this question








      edited 10 hours ago







      mithusengupta123

















      asked 10 hours ago









      mithusengupta123mithusengupta123

      1,24711435




      1,24711435






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          9












          $begingroup$


          Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the
          metal block? If so, why is that?




          'Yes', to the first question.



          Metal is stiffer than wood and produces higher frequencies (higher pitch).



          This follows from the wave equation (here in one dimension):



          $$u_{tt}=frac{E}{rho}u_{xx}$$



          $E$ is Young's Modulus and $rho$ the material's density.



          When solved, the solution contains a time-dependent term like this:



          $$cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          where $n=1,2,3,...$, and $c=sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$ and $L$ a chracteristic length (e.g. the length of a clamped string).



          To find the frequencies:



          $$cos omega t=cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          $$omega=2pi f=frac{npi c}{L}$$



          $$f=frac{n}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          The fundamental frequency (for $n=1$) is given by:



          $$f_1=frac{1}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          So for stiffer materials, i.e. larger $E$, the fundamental frequency (as well as the harmonics) is higher.






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Thanks. How will this change if instead of a string I consider a metallic block? Why is the vibration of metal block more visible than the wooden block? Why more amplitude?
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            The principle that applies to a string also applies to other shapes/objects. The amplitude should mainly depend on how much energy was put in initially, i.e. how hard the block was struck.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I meant subjected to the same supply of energy i,e., same way of hammering on two blocks of identical shape, one of wood and the other of a metal.
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            8 hours ago



















          6












          $begingroup$

          The metal block has a relatively low level of internal damping, however the wooden block has a high level of internal damping: Much of the energy imparted to the wooden block is dissipated internally as heat and deformation, also the higher frequencies are damped more than the lower frequencies (it acts like a low pass filter).



          So the wooden block will vibrate with fewer harmonics (hence less shrill) and also with lower amplitude (and also with lower duration).






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Hmm. The way humans perceive a note's pitch is by the fundamental frequency of the note. Filtering out more or less higher harmonics doesn't change the pitch, it only changes the timbre. That why a particular note played on a piano and a clarinet sound differently, even if the pitch remains the same.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            7 hours ago












          • $begingroup$
            Good catch--I edited my answer.
            $endgroup$
            – user45664
            5 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            Why though: Because of the way the atoms are arranged. And without a crystalline structure (as all metals have), it's not going to sound very good.
            $endgroup$
            – Mazura
            3 mins ago











          Your Answer





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          2 Answers
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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

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          9












          $begingroup$


          Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the
          metal block? If so, why is that?




          'Yes', to the first question.



          Metal is stiffer than wood and produces higher frequencies (higher pitch).



          This follows from the wave equation (here in one dimension):



          $$u_{tt}=frac{E}{rho}u_{xx}$$



          $E$ is Young's Modulus and $rho$ the material's density.



          When solved, the solution contains a time-dependent term like this:



          $$cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          where $n=1,2,3,...$, and $c=sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$ and $L$ a chracteristic length (e.g. the length of a clamped string).



          To find the frequencies:



          $$cos omega t=cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          $$omega=2pi f=frac{npi c}{L}$$



          $$f=frac{n}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          The fundamental frequency (for $n=1$) is given by:



          $$f_1=frac{1}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          So for stiffer materials, i.e. larger $E$, the fundamental frequency (as well as the harmonics) is higher.






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Thanks. How will this change if instead of a string I consider a metallic block? Why is the vibration of metal block more visible than the wooden block? Why more amplitude?
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            The principle that applies to a string also applies to other shapes/objects. The amplitude should mainly depend on how much energy was put in initially, i.e. how hard the block was struck.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I meant subjected to the same supply of energy i,e., same way of hammering on two blocks of identical shape, one of wood and the other of a metal.
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            8 hours ago
















          9












          $begingroup$


          Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the
          metal block? If so, why is that?




          'Yes', to the first question.



          Metal is stiffer than wood and produces higher frequencies (higher pitch).



          This follows from the wave equation (here in one dimension):



          $$u_{tt}=frac{E}{rho}u_{xx}$$



          $E$ is Young's Modulus and $rho$ the material's density.



          When solved, the solution contains a time-dependent term like this:



          $$cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          where $n=1,2,3,...$, and $c=sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$ and $L$ a chracteristic length (e.g. the length of a clamped string).



          To find the frequencies:



          $$cos omega t=cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          $$omega=2pi f=frac{npi c}{L}$$



          $$f=frac{n}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          The fundamental frequency (for $n=1$) is given by:



          $$f_1=frac{1}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          So for stiffer materials, i.e. larger $E$, the fundamental frequency (as well as the harmonics) is higher.






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$













          • $begingroup$
            Thanks. How will this change if instead of a string I consider a metallic block? Why is the vibration of metal block more visible than the wooden block? Why more amplitude?
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            The principle that applies to a string also applies to other shapes/objects. The amplitude should mainly depend on how much energy was put in initially, i.e. how hard the block was struck.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I meant subjected to the same supply of energy i,e., same way of hammering on two blocks of identical shape, one of wood and the other of a metal.
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            8 hours ago














          9












          9








          9





          $begingroup$


          Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the
          metal block? If so, why is that?




          'Yes', to the first question.



          Metal is stiffer than wood and produces higher frequencies (higher pitch).



          This follows from the wave equation (here in one dimension):



          $$u_{tt}=frac{E}{rho}u_{xx}$$



          $E$ is Young's Modulus and $rho$ the material's density.



          When solved, the solution contains a time-dependent term like this:



          $$cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          where $n=1,2,3,...$, and $c=sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$ and $L$ a chracteristic length (e.g. the length of a clamped string).



          To find the frequencies:



          $$cos omega t=cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          $$omega=2pi f=frac{npi c}{L}$$



          $$f=frac{n}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          The fundamental frequency (for $n=1$) is given by:



          $$f_1=frac{1}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          So for stiffer materials, i.e. larger $E$, the fundamental frequency (as well as the harmonics) is higher.






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$




          Is it that the wooden block vibrates with lesser frequency than the
          metal block? If so, why is that?




          'Yes', to the first question.



          Metal is stiffer than wood and produces higher frequencies (higher pitch).



          This follows from the wave equation (here in one dimension):



          $$u_{tt}=frac{E}{rho}u_{xx}$$



          $E$ is Young's Modulus and $rho$ the material's density.



          When solved, the solution contains a time-dependent term like this:



          $$cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          where $n=1,2,3,...$, and $c=sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$ and $L$ a chracteristic length (e.g. the length of a clamped string).



          To find the frequencies:



          $$cos omega t=cosBig(frac{npi ct}{L}Big)$$



          $$omega=2pi f=frac{npi c}{L}$$



          $$f=frac{n}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          The fundamental frequency (for $n=1$) is given by:



          $$f_1=frac{1}{2L}sqrt{frac{E}{rho}}$$



          So for stiffer materials, i.e. larger $E$, the fundamental frequency (as well as the harmonics) is higher.







          share|cite|improve this answer














          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer








          edited 9 hours ago

























          answered 10 hours ago









          GertGert

          17.8k32959




          17.8k32959












          • $begingroup$
            Thanks. How will this change if instead of a string I consider a metallic block? Why is the vibration of metal block more visible than the wooden block? Why more amplitude?
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            The principle that applies to a string also applies to other shapes/objects. The amplitude should mainly depend on how much energy was put in initially, i.e. how hard the block was struck.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I meant subjected to the same supply of energy i,e., same way of hammering on two blocks of identical shape, one of wood and the other of a metal.
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            8 hours ago


















          • $begingroup$
            Thanks. How will this change if instead of a string I consider a metallic block? Why is the vibration of metal block more visible than the wooden block? Why more amplitude?
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            The principle that applies to a string also applies to other shapes/objects. The amplitude should mainly depend on how much energy was put in initially, i.e. how hard the block was struck.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            9 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            I meant subjected to the same supply of energy i,e., same way of hammering on two blocks of identical shape, one of wood and the other of a metal.
            $endgroup$
            – mithusengupta123
            8 hours ago
















          $begingroup$
          Thanks. How will this change if instead of a string I consider a metallic block? Why is the vibration of metal block more visible than the wooden block? Why more amplitude?
          $endgroup$
          – mithusengupta123
          9 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          Thanks. How will this change if instead of a string I consider a metallic block? Why is the vibration of metal block more visible than the wooden block? Why more amplitude?
          $endgroup$
          – mithusengupta123
          9 hours ago












          $begingroup$
          The principle that applies to a string also applies to other shapes/objects. The amplitude should mainly depend on how much energy was put in initially, i.e. how hard the block was struck.
          $endgroup$
          – Gert
          9 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          The principle that applies to a string also applies to other shapes/objects. The amplitude should mainly depend on how much energy was put in initially, i.e. how hard the block was struck.
          $endgroup$
          – Gert
          9 hours ago












          $begingroup$
          I meant subjected to the same supply of energy i,e., same way of hammering on two blocks of identical shape, one of wood and the other of a metal.
          $endgroup$
          – mithusengupta123
          8 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          I meant subjected to the same supply of energy i,e., same way of hammering on two blocks of identical shape, one of wood and the other of a metal.
          $endgroup$
          – mithusengupta123
          8 hours ago











          6












          $begingroup$

          The metal block has a relatively low level of internal damping, however the wooden block has a high level of internal damping: Much of the energy imparted to the wooden block is dissipated internally as heat and deformation, also the higher frequencies are damped more than the lower frequencies (it acts like a low pass filter).



          So the wooden block will vibrate with fewer harmonics (hence less shrill) and also with lower amplitude (and also with lower duration).






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Hmm. The way humans perceive a note's pitch is by the fundamental frequency of the note. Filtering out more or less higher harmonics doesn't change the pitch, it only changes the timbre. That why a particular note played on a piano and a clarinet sound differently, even if the pitch remains the same.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            7 hours ago












          • $begingroup$
            Good catch--I edited my answer.
            $endgroup$
            – user45664
            5 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            Why though: Because of the way the atoms are arranged. And without a crystalline structure (as all metals have), it's not going to sound very good.
            $endgroup$
            – Mazura
            3 mins ago
















          6












          $begingroup$

          The metal block has a relatively low level of internal damping, however the wooden block has a high level of internal damping: Much of the energy imparted to the wooden block is dissipated internally as heat and deformation, also the higher frequencies are damped more than the lower frequencies (it acts like a low pass filter).



          So the wooden block will vibrate with fewer harmonics (hence less shrill) and also with lower amplitude (and also with lower duration).






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$









          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Hmm. The way humans perceive a note's pitch is by the fundamental frequency of the note. Filtering out more or less higher harmonics doesn't change the pitch, it only changes the timbre. That why a particular note played on a piano and a clarinet sound differently, even if the pitch remains the same.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            7 hours ago












          • $begingroup$
            Good catch--I edited my answer.
            $endgroup$
            – user45664
            5 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            Why though: Because of the way the atoms are arranged. And without a crystalline structure (as all metals have), it's not going to sound very good.
            $endgroup$
            – Mazura
            3 mins ago














          6












          6








          6





          $begingroup$

          The metal block has a relatively low level of internal damping, however the wooden block has a high level of internal damping: Much of the energy imparted to the wooden block is dissipated internally as heat and deformation, also the higher frequencies are damped more than the lower frequencies (it acts like a low pass filter).



          So the wooden block will vibrate with fewer harmonics (hence less shrill) and also with lower amplitude (and also with lower duration).






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$



          The metal block has a relatively low level of internal damping, however the wooden block has a high level of internal damping: Much of the energy imparted to the wooden block is dissipated internally as heat and deformation, also the higher frequencies are damped more than the lower frequencies (it acts like a low pass filter).



          So the wooden block will vibrate with fewer harmonics (hence less shrill) and also with lower amplitude (and also with lower duration).







          share|cite|improve this answer














          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer








          edited 5 hours ago

























          answered 8 hours ago









          user45664user45664

          1,1182824




          1,1182824








          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Hmm. The way humans perceive a note's pitch is by the fundamental frequency of the note. Filtering out more or less higher harmonics doesn't change the pitch, it only changes the timbre. That why a particular note played on a piano and a clarinet sound differently, even if the pitch remains the same.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            7 hours ago












          • $begingroup$
            Good catch--I edited my answer.
            $endgroup$
            – user45664
            5 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            Why though: Because of the way the atoms are arranged. And without a crystalline structure (as all metals have), it's not going to sound very good.
            $endgroup$
            – Mazura
            3 mins ago














          • 1




            $begingroup$
            Hmm. The way humans perceive a note's pitch is by the fundamental frequency of the note. Filtering out more or less higher harmonics doesn't change the pitch, it only changes the timbre. That why a particular note played on a piano and a clarinet sound differently, even if the pitch remains the same.
            $endgroup$
            – Gert
            7 hours ago












          • $begingroup$
            Good catch--I edited my answer.
            $endgroup$
            – user45664
            5 hours ago










          • $begingroup$
            Why though: Because of the way the atoms are arranged. And without a crystalline structure (as all metals have), it's not going to sound very good.
            $endgroup$
            – Mazura
            3 mins ago








          1




          1




          $begingroup$
          Hmm. The way humans perceive a note's pitch is by the fundamental frequency of the note. Filtering out more or less higher harmonics doesn't change the pitch, it only changes the timbre. That why a particular note played on a piano and a clarinet sound differently, even if the pitch remains the same.
          $endgroup$
          – Gert
          7 hours ago






          $begingroup$
          Hmm. The way humans perceive a note's pitch is by the fundamental frequency of the note. Filtering out more or less higher harmonics doesn't change the pitch, it only changes the timbre. That why a particular note played on a piano and a clarinet sound differently, even if the pitch remains the same.
          $endgroup$
          – Gert
          7 hours ago














          $begingroup$
          Good catch--I edited my answer.
          $endgroup$
          – user45664
          5 hours ago




          $begingroup$
          Good catch--I edited my answer.
          $endgroup$
          – user45664
          5 hours ago












          $begingroup$
          Why though: Because of the way the atoms are arranged. And without a crystalline structure (as all metals have), it's not going to sound very good.
          $endgroup$
          – Mazura
          3 mins ago




          $begingroup$
          Why though: Because of the way the atoms are arranged. And without a crystalline structure (as all metals have), it's not going to sound very good.
          $endgroup$
          – Mazura
          3 mins ago


















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