Sound Waves And Their Sources
Sound Waves And Their Sources is a short film from 1933 released on 16mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.
Contents. Sources of sounds and characteristics of sound waves, shown by means of oscilloscopes and animated diagrams.
As bass viol strings are shown vibrating, the commentator says that sound originates in vibrating objects that set up waves in surrounding air or in other mediums. A tuning fork is released, setting up sound waves in the air. Animation shows the resulting condensation and rarefaction of air surrounding the tuning fork. Longitudinal sound waves are shown, and the commentator says that the wave length is the distance between two adjacent regions of maximum condensation.
Means of measuring sound waves are demonstrated by a simplified diagram of an oscillograph in which alternate condensations and rarefactions cause a stylus to move up and down. Amplitude is demonstrated as sounds of varying loudness result in oscillograph recordings of varying heights. Frequency is described by the commentator as the number of complete vibrations a second. Tuning forks of different frequencies are used to demon�strate this fact. The oscillograph is used to demonstrate how two separate waves may unite to form a combined wave.
As a string vibrating in one segment is shown, the commentator says that only one tone called the "fundamental" or "first harmonic" is produced. This same technique is used to demonstrate second and third harmonics alone and a compound waveform in which the fundamental wave tone is supplemented by the second and third harmonics. Characteristics of saxophone and violin sounds are shown on the oscilloscope. Vowel sounds and noise characteristics are also shown.
As a vibrating diaphragm is shown, the commentator describes it as a source of sound. Another sound source, the vibrating column of air, is suggested by animated drawings of an organ pipe. The commentator briefly explains its operation. The human vocal system is shown in a cross-sectional diagram of the head. The vocal cords are shown in some detail. Animated drawings demonstrate the origin of speech as air is forced from the lungs through the glottis, causing the cords to vibrate.
As various views of sound sources in everyday life are shown, the commentator says that minute differences in sounds enable us to gather meaning from a complex maze of invisible vibrations.
Appraisal. Reported excellent for (1) showing the origin and transmission of sound waves and (2) demonstrating the fundamentals of the human voice. Should be useful in developing an appreciation of the instruments and techniques used in the study of sound.
Clear explanation of frequency, pitch, amplitude, and harmonics was reported. Use of animated diagrams and the oscilloscope made the presentation simple and effective. Teachers noted that the sound film was particularly well adapted to the subject.
Photography and sound are excellent.
13:38:40:03 VS youth orchestra, 1930s.
13:39:25:23 CU tuning fork; disembodied hand holding mallet strikes tuning fork; CU vibrating tuning fork; cuts to animation of mallet striking tuning fork, hypnotic rings resonate from the tuning fork.
13:41:13:13 Animated drawing of an oscillograph drawing sine waves.
13:42:20:18 Three tuning forks on blocks in front of blackboard with sine wave drawn on it in chalk; camera zooms in on first tuning fork, scientist hits tuning fork with mallet producing Middle C, then hits the next tuning fork producing low-G, followed by another C an octave lower than the first.
13:43:34:03 CU string section of orchestra playing, one of each string instrument in frame; CU girl playing viola; CU disembodied arm bowing a cello.
13:45:41:19 CU oscilloscope, disembodied hand turns on oscilloscope; CU circular oscilloscope monitor, sound of string instrument on audio track is represented in graph on oscilloscope screen; CU young woman playing violin; CU oscilloscope scope graphing sound waves; pit crew in orchestra.
13:46:19:15 CU animated drawing of cymbal struck by mallet, cymbal vibrates.
13:46:33:25 Man playing organ; VS organ pipes; CU disembodied hands playing on organ keyboard; MS man playing organ; organ pipes.
13:47:31:20 CU realistic drawing of profile of man; surface of mans face disappears to reveal internal structure of mans mouth and wind pipes, drawing opens mouth and sound waves are represented leaving mans mouth; audio track narration describes the physics of vocalization.
13:47:58:11 VS youth orchestra; wind section; MS girl playing harp; LS orchestra.| Sound Waves And Their Sources | |
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| Produced by | ERPI Classroom Films, Inc. |
Production companies | ERPI Classroom Films, Inc. |
| Distributed by | ERPI Classroom Films, Inc. |
Release date | 1933 |
Running time | 9:38 |
| Language | English |
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