harmonics

• The fundamental frequency is the lowest frequency of a wave where a stationary wave forms.
• A harmonic is a whole number multiple of the fundamental frequency.
• When two waves combine to form a standing wave, they can either reinforce or cancel out depending on their relative phase difference.
• The first harmonic has an amplitude that is half the amplitude of the fundamental, while all other harmonics have amplitudes that decrease by a factor of one-half with increasing frequency.
• Standing waves are formed when two waves with equal amplitude travel in opposite directions along a medium.
• Harmonics are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency (f1).
• In a closed pipe, the reflected sound wave travels back up the pipe as a mirror image of the original wave.
• If the length of the pipe is an odd integer multiple of quarter wavelengths, then there will be constructive interference at both ends of the pipe.
• The second harmonic has twice the frequency of the fundamental (2f1), the third harmonic has three times the frequency of the fundamental (3f1), etc.