Oscillations and Waves > Oscillations > Beats DCS# 3C55.30

DIFFERENCE AND INTERCOMBINATION TONES

 


APPARATUS
two function generators 202-08-G
amplifier 202-09-E
two speakers next to 202-13
oscilloscope with camera 202-cart


DESCRIPTION
Lissajous figures show when the frequency ratio is that of two small integers.  Let f2 be the higher frequency.  When f2 = 3/2 f1 you can also hear the difference tone 1/2 f1 if the two tones are loud enough.  Upon slight mistuning you hear beats in the low tone, possibly between the intercombination tones  f2- f1 and 2 f1- f2.  Also when  f2 = 5/4  f1 you often can hear a tone of frequency 3/4 f1.  When f2 = f1, upon slight mistuning you hear more dissonance from square waves than from sine waves (Helmholtz theory of consonance).
-REW

NOTES

At least one of the function generators should have good fine tuning control.
Each oscillator output should go to one channel of a stereo amplifier and to the vertical or horizontal input of the scope in x-y mode.  The output of the amplifiers is then sent to two speakers.

REFERENCE
AJP 49(7),632.