In order to begin to understand the process of how air from the lungs becomes sound coming out of the trumpet, we need to understand sound waves and how sound works. Simply put, sound is longitudinal compression of waves (Ward The Trumpet: Demystified Using Mathematics). To produce sound, molecules of air undergo vibration at an average speed, creating changes in pressure. This variance in pressure is defined as the number of oscillations per second, and in musical terms, reflects the cycles per second of a specific pitch. For example, the tone A is 440 Hz, or …show more content…
Thus the fundamental sound wave is defined by f=1/4λ. The node is where the two waves connect or cross paths, and the antinode the high point of the wave. As a result of being an open ended tube, the wave must end on an antinode for the sound to occur. Thus the first harmonic would be f=3/4 λ and so on. Let’s break the sound waves down even further. The following diagram simply shows a single sound …show more content…
To illustrate the way resonance is created, an example of an open tube will be used. Naturally, this tube is at a state of equilibrium with its surroundings. Block one end of the tube, and then unblock it abruptly. The quick displacement of air causes a lower air pressure around the opening compared to the air around it. This causes a disturbance of equilibrium, thus the air in the tube will rush out in attempt to equalize the pressure. The air pressure inside the tube will be lower to this loss of air. As a result, the air around fills the tube to equalize this low pressure point. Due to the law of Conservation of Momentum, the eternal surrounding air cannot stop moving through the tube, and must continue to move at a high pressure pulse (Ward The Trumpet: Demystified Using Mathematics).This is the process of resonance. Now that we understand how resonance is created, we can relate it back to sound waves. There is maximum transfer of energy at resonance, and thus maximum amplitude, giving maximum volume. The amplitude of the wave can be seen as the height of the wave measured from its position when at equilibrium.
Now that we understand the principle of sound and sound waves, we can apply it to the physics of the trumpet. The sound waves created by the trumpet are quite unique. In order for the sound waves to be created, the player must vibrate