Physics of Sound and Music

15-030-133

University of Cincinnati

SPRING QUARTER 2007


COURSE URL:
http://www.physics.uc.edu/~brian/SandM/Spring_2007
(NOTE - not on blackboard)
PROFESSOR:
Brian Meadows
http://www.physics.uc.edu/~brian
OFFICE:
448 Geo/Physics Bldg. (556-0531)
E-Mail:
Brian.Meadows@UC.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
M-F any time, but call first, or just knock on the door. In the rare event I truly cannot be interrupted, call me and we will schedule a mutually convenient time to meet.
OBJECTIVE:
This course is intended to be an introduction to sound, mechanics and perception of sound in the human audio system and acoustics, primarily for the student without a background in other college physics or mathematics. One need not be a music major to appreciate the beauty of the subject. The topics discussed in the course fall under the title of Sound and Music, but the focus will be on the principles of physics that govern properties of wave motion (especially sound pressure waves), power, simple harmonic motion, and harmonics as applied to musical instruments and architectural acoustics. Sound perception and its relevance to musical scales will also be discussed. The course helps direct the student to a new and critical understanding of phenomena they have already observed, and will aid in reading technical material related to sound and music.
LECTURES:
Lectures will not always present the same material as the text. However, lectures and text material will complement each other.
EXAMS:
There are two in-class exams scheduled during the quarter and a final exam given during finals' week. The exams will consist of problems that are closely related to examples discussed in lecture and suggested questions, exercises, and problems at the end of each chapter.
Please NOTE: No make-up exams will be given except for students with legitimate conflicts due to university functions or caused by adequately documented emergencies (physician note, court subpoena, etc.).
QUIZZES:
Quizzes will be given during lecture classes and will usually NOT be announced beforehand.
HOMEWORK:
Exercises are suggested for each week in the schedule. These are voluntary, mostly taken from the questions and problems from the end of each chapter, and highly recommended. They provide guidance for the kind of question asked in exams. Some may even be asked as exam questions. They are not, however, graded, though solutions will be provided in many cases.
GRADING:
Quizzes - 10%
Hourly Exams (2) - 20% each
Class Participation - 10%  
Final - 40%

 
 


Tentative Schedule


WEEK
LECTURE MATERIAL
CHAPTER
Exercises
3/27
Introduction;
Mechanics, Motion
1
 1 - 4,6,8,9,10
4/3
Vibrations, Resonance
Movie
1,2
 1 -12, Probs. 1,5

4/10
Waves, Superposition, Interference, Refraction, Doppler Effect

2- 1,3,6, 13
4/17
CLASS ASSIGNMENT TBD
2,3
2- 17 Probs.1,5
3- 1,3,7,10
Probs. 3,5


EXAM #1 (4/19)


1-3

4/24
Standing waves; Overtones, Complex Waves
4
4- 2,3,5,9 Probs. 1, 5
5/1
Electronic Music/Synthesizers
5  
5- 3,5
5/8
Ear/Voice
6
6- 5,6,7,10
5/15
Ear/Voice (continued).  MP3 (if time permits).
6, 7.10
6- 11, Probs. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8
5/22
Architectural Acoustics
(guest lecturer - will cover topics to be on final exam)
8
8- 1,3,5,6
For extra credit:
8-8, 9 and Probs. 1, 2


EXAM #2 (5/24)


4-6


5/29
Temperament and Pitch
9
9-1, 2 Probs. 1, 2, 3, 6


Final Exam TBA. 300 BR



Note - The last day to drop this course and receive a grade of "W" is May 21, 2007.