Physics 103 Acoustical
Foundations of Music
Text: Physics and the Sound of Music, 2nd edition, John S. Rigden
Instructor: Dr. Matt Marone Room 112
Willet Science Center
Phone 301-2597, e-mail: marone_mj@mercer.edu
Office Hours: MW 1:40-2:55, outside of
these hours by appointment
Lecture: MWF 11:00-11:50 Room
101 WSC
Laboratory: 1:40-2:55, Tuesday/Thursday
Room 107 WSC
Prerequisite: SCI 105
General:
Physics and music, a strange mixture? We will examine music and sound from a
scientific point of view. Our
discussion will be one of waves and frequencies, as well as notes and scales. By the end of the class you will think of
music in a different way. You will be
familiar with sound waves, propagation of sound, frequency, harmonics, waves on
strings and in tubes, effects dues to the listening environment,
perception and synthesis of music. This is not an intensely mathematical
course, but some algebra is required.
We shall encounter logarithms, for example, in our study of
loudness. You should have a calculator
capable of calculating logarithms (log, ln) and raising numbers to a power (Yx).
Grades:
Your Final class grade will be derived from the following percentages
Average of 2 Tests (55%)
In-class Quiz (15%)
Laboratory Experiments (30%)
You will not be graded on a “curve”.
Tests: Make-up exams will only be
given to students with valid excuses as defined by the university handbook
(illness, emergency, class trips with prior notification). The make-up exam may be harder or easier
than the regular in-class exam. Any
disputes concerning a test grade must be resolved within one week from the time
the tests are returned or from the time the grades are made known to the
class. Any grade disputes after this
time limit will not be considered
under any circumstances. Partial credit
will be awarded depending how many steps were done correctly in a multi-step
problem. The amount of credit will be
at the discretion of the instructor.
Quizzes: There will be a 5-10 minute quiz one class every week. This quiz will cover any material discussed in class up to that point of time. Make-up quizzes are subject to the same conditions as make-up tests.
Homework: Homework will not be graded, but it is suggested that students
work all the homework problems.
Laboratory Reports: Laboratory reports are to be the individual work of the student. You may work together with your lab. partner or other students, but the report must be written by you, and you alone. The format of the reports will be explained in the laboratory class.
All work for which a grade is received, must be the original work of the student without aid or assistance of
another party, or any printed and or electronic data/information. Failure to
follow these policies will result in an automatic
grade of “F” for the course.
Cell phones
and Pagers:
Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning experience, all
cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering any classroom, lab,
or formal academic or performance event.
Eating in
class: Please do not eat in class. I do not mind if you drink, without drawing
attention to yourself.
Sleeping in
class: Please do not sleep in
class, you will be asked to leave.
The
College’s academic misconduct policy will be followed.
Reasonable
accommodation will be provided for this course as required under the provisions
of the American’s with Disabilities Act and subject to the criteria and
procedures used by the Student Development office.
Students who believe that they possess disabilities
for which accommodation is required must so inform instructors immediately
after the first class meeting, indicating the nature of the disability and the
sort of accommodation needed. If you
believe that you possess a
disability for which reasonable accommodation must be made, you must consult with the instructor immediately after the first meeting of this class, reporting both the nature of the disability and the nature of the accommodation requested. If it seems advisable, the instructor will refer you to the appropriate office for documentation of your disability and evaluation of your request for reasonable accommodation. If you do NOT consult with the instructor about any disability claimed and accommodation sought, your failure to do so will constitute a waiver of any claim of disability and request for accommodation on your part.
Material To
Be Covered (Tentative)
Ch. 1 Physics of Music
Ch. 2 Origin of Musical Sound
Ch. 3 Transmission of Musical Sound
Ch. 4 Perception of Pure Tone
Ch. 5 Superposition of Vibrations
Ch. 6 Superposition of Waves
Ch. 7 Perception of Two Pure Tones
Ch. 8 Origin of Complex tones, Strings, Tubes and Membranes
Ch. 10 Transmission of Complex Tones
Ch.
12 The Musical Environment
Ch.
13 Perception of Music
Ch.
17 Synthesized and Digital Sound
Note: We will not
cover every section of these chapters, but only get a “flavor” of each topic.
Experiments
1)
Sounds
of Music
2)
How
Loud is it?
3)
Ripples
4)
Waves
on a String
5)
Waves
in Tubes
6)
Seeing
Sound
7)
Seeing
Nodes-Chladni Plates