Physics Behind Music

This engaging text uses the performance, recording, and enjoyment of music to present basic principles of physics. The narrative lays out specific results from physics, as well as some of the methodology, thought processes, and 'interconnectedness' of physics concepts, results, and ideas.

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Frequency and rates; 3. The notes we use; 4. The frequency domain and pitch; 5. Harmonic oscillators and resonance; 6. String theory; 7. Normal modes; 8. Traveling waves; 9. The uncertainty principle; 10. Nonlinear physics; 11. Classical gases; 12. The speed of sound in a gas; 13. Sounds we hear; 14. Sound in pipes; 15. Sound in three dimensions; 16. Interference, diffraction, and diffusion; 17. Faraday's laws of induction; 18. RC time constants; 19. Physics and recording technology; 20. Electronics and music; Appendices; Index.