MathematicsofMusic

NoramonK.(Prim)113
ArisaraK.(Now)113
PiyapornR.(Premier)113
NuntineeM.(Toey)113
NuttachaK.(Fah)113
Objectives:
We did this experiment for study how mathematical relationships relate to sound, which
interfere between two notes that is consonant or dissonant. So we determine the frequency of each
musicalnoteandexaminethemasratiotheninvestigatedifference.

Hypothesis:
Ifwecanfindradiooftwomusicalnotesfandamentalfrequency,itwillhelptopredictthatthe
soundisconsonantordissonant.

Materials:
2computers
o1computerforVerniercomputerinterface(LoggerPro)
o1computerforelectronickeyboard(virtualpiano.net)
VernierMicrophone

Procedure:
1. ConnecttheVernierMicrophonetoChannel1oftheinterface.
2. Open thefile35 MathematicsofMusicin thePhysics withVernierfolder.Thecomputer
will display a graph for displaying the waveform of the sound and an FFT (Fast Fourier
Transform). An FFT is a mathematical method that gives you the frequencies present inthe
soundthatyouanalyze.
3. Openthewebsite:virtualpiano.nettoaccessanonlineelectronickeyboard
4. Produce the first note to study, C. Use the middle C on the keyboard (first key of the third
octave from left toright).Holdthe Microphoneclose tothe sound source andclick collect.
Holdthe tonesteady forasecond ortwo (untilthewaveformappearsonthescreen).Ifyoudo
not see a simple, welldefined wave pattern on the screen, try adjusting the Microphone
positionandtryagain.
5. Check the FFT to see the frequency spectrum of the wave. The graph shows the relative
amplitudeof thefrequenciespresent inthe sound.Sinceweareusing fairlysimplesoundsfor
this lab, you will probably see only one or two peaks on this graph. The lowest frequency
present is calledthe fundamental frequency, andit is also displayedatthetop left oftheFFT.
Recordthisvalueinthedatatable.ThefundamentalfrequencyforthefirstCofthethirdoctave
isapproximately262Hz.
6. RepeatSteps3and 4foreachofthenoteslistedinthedatatable(one octave).Usethediagram
asareferencepointtolocatethedifferentnotesonakeyboard.

Results:
DATATABLE
Note

Fundamental
Frequency(Hz)

Ratiotofirst
C(f/fC)

IntegerRatio

Dissonantor
Consonant

260

1/1

290

1.12

9/8

Dissonant

325

1.25

5/4

Consonant

345

1.33

4/3

Consonant

390

1.5

3/2

Consonant

435

1.67

5/3

Consonant

490

1.88

15/8

Dissonant

520

2/1

Consonant

This table show fundamental frequency knows from the graph in Logger pro. Third column
show ratiobetweeneachmusical notesfundamentalfrequencyto firstmusical notesfrequency.The
integer radio in fourth column converts from third column. Lastly column is determination that the
soundsofeachmusicalnote,whichcombinewithfirstmusicalnote(C),aresoundgoodorbad.

Analysis:
1. Foreachfrequency,calculateitsratiotothefrequencyofthefirstCnote
(Ratio=fnote/fC).Recordyourresultinthedatatable.
2. Theratiosofthenotescanbeexpressedwitharatioofintegers.Below,youhavealistof
integerratios.Identifywhichofthemcorrespondtotheratiosthatyoucalculated.Writethe
downonthetable.[Example:ratio=1.33ratio=4/3]
Integerratios:3/2
4/3
5/4
6/5
5/3
8/5
7/4
7/5
9/8
15/8
16/15
3. PlaytheCnoteinyourkeyboardtogetherwitheachoftheconsequtivenotes.Writeinthetable
whetherthesoundisconsonantordissonant.
4. Consideringallthecombinationsofnotes,isthereapatternthathelpspredictwhat
combinationwillbeconsonant?Explain,citingspecificevidencefromyourtable.
Answer:thismathematicpatterncanhelptopredictthesound.Iftworadioaretoofarfrom
anotheronewhichcombinationtogetherthenitwillbedissonant.iftheradiooftwomusical
notesarecolsetogether,thesoundwillbeconsonantsameascombinationofCandGwhich
haveradioare1/1and3/2thatareveryclosetogether.
5. Drawagraph(Pressurev.Time)ofthefundamentalmodeoftheCandGnotes(onthesame
graph).Youcanuseagraphingsoftwareoryoucandrawitbyhand.Whatdoyounoticeabout
thetwosoundwaves?Isthereapatternororderthatcouldexplainthefactthatthetwonotes
soundgoodtogether?
Cnote
Gnote

Conclusions:(100200words,12paragraphs):
Ourhypothesisiscorrect,theradiooftwomusicalnotesfundamentalfraquencycanhelpto
predictthesoundthatisconsonantordissonant.Wenoticetheradioesthataredissonantusually
combinebetweenverydifferentofradiosuchasCandDwhichChasintegerradiojust1/1whileD
hasintegerradiotoCis9/8.Thedifferencebetweentworadioaretoodifferencesothesoundnot
soundgoodwhichdetermineasdissonant.SameasCandBwhencombinearedissonant,ifwelookat
itradiotoCthatis15/8.Itistoodifferentlateofradiosame.
Forourgrouphavealittleerrorwhenwefoundthefundamentalfrequency.Sometimeweclick
collectandclickmusicalnotenotthesametime.Sothefundamentalfrequencymayalittleincorrect
thenwhenwematchingwithintegerradiohaveabitmiss.