Learning about waves with musical acoustics

Abstract

Sound waves, water waves, quantum waves, light waves, and other types of electromagnetic waves have much in common that can be understood by doing experiments in wave propagation with one or more of these types of waves. Sound waves are particularly useful because of their convenient wavelengths, and sound waves associated with music or musical instruments are attractive to students. We describe experiments in musical acoustics that have applications to other areas of physics and to engineering.