PHYS 1204

PHYS 1204

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2021-2022.

This course explores the physics of musical sound. How and what do our ears hear? How does that determine the kinds of sounds we find pleasant and not so pleasant? How is sound generated by strings, pipes, and plates, and what determines the characteristics – pitch, timbre, attack, consonance, or dissonance – of that sound? How do the major families of musical instruments (string, wind, reed, brass, percussion) and specific examples (violin, guitar, piano, flute, oboe, trumpet, chimes, pipe organ) work, and how does that affect how they are played and the sounds they produce? How do we generate sound when we sing, and how does that vary in different kinds of singing? What makes for a good concert hall or listening space? These are explained using physical and mathematical concepts including vibrations, standing waves, harmonic series, beats, spectra, and logarithms, and illustrated using demonstrations, audio clips, and musical selections from a wide variety of genres. This course is a Writing In The Majors course: both science writing and physics problem-solving skills are developed through weekly assignments. Student activities include hands-on investigations of musical instruments and field trips. At the level of The Science of Sound by Rossing, Moore, and Wheeler.    

When Offered Spring.

Distribution Category (PBS-AS, PHS-AS)

Comments Assumes no scientific background but uses high school algebra. Open to all students and suitable for non-scientists; does not serve as prerequisite for further science courses.

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion. Combined with: MUSIC 1466

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  4496 PHYS 1204   LEC 001

  • Instruction Mode: In Person
    All enrollment requests should be directed to physicsenrollment@cornell.edu

  •  4499 PHYS 1204   DIS 201

    • W Clark Hall 294H
    • Jan 24 - May 10, 2022
    • Thorne, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  4500 PHYS 1204   DIS 202

    • F Clark Hall 294H
    • Jan 24 - May 10, 2022
    • Thorne, R

  • Instruction Mode: In Person