Everything about Tuning Fork totally explained
A
tuning fork is an
acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged
fork with the
tines formed from a U-shaped bar of
elastic metal (usually
steel). It
resonates at a specific constant
pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object, and emits a pure musical tone after waiting a moment to allow some high
overtones to die out. The pitch that a particular tuning fork generates depends on the length of the two prongs.
Explanation
Currently, the most common tuning fork used by musicians sounds the note of
A (440 Hz, international "concert pitch"), which has long been used as a standard tuning note by orchestras, it being the pitch of the violin's second string played open, the first string of the viola played open, and an octave above the first string of the cello, again played open. However, they're also commercially made to vibrate at frequencies corresponding to all musical pitches within the central octave of the piano, and other pitches.
The tuning fork was invented in
1711 by
John Shore, Sergeant
Trumpeter to the court, who had parts specifically written for him by both
George Frideric Handel and
Henry Purcell.
The reason for using the fork shape is that, when vibrating, there's a
node in the vibration pattern at the bend of the 'U' where the handle is attached, so the handle doesn't vibrate. This allows it to be held there without damping the vibration.
When struck, it gives out a very faint note which is barely audible unless held close to the
ear. For this reason, it's sometimes struck and then pressed down on a solid surface such as a desk which acts as a
sounding board and greatly amplifies the note.
Well-known manufacturers of tuning forks include Ragg and John Walker, both of
Sheffield,
England.
Calculation of frequency
The frequency of a tuning fork depends on its dimensions and the material from which is made:
» Hz. (See
quartz clock.)
Medical uses
Tuning forks, usually C-512, are used by medical practitioners to assess a patient's hearing. Lower-pitched ones (usually C-128) are also used to check vibration sense as part of the examination of the peripheral nervous system.
Tuning forks also play a role in several
alternative medicine modalities, such as
sonopuncture and
polarity therapy.
Radar gun calibration
A
radar gun, typically used for measuring the speed of cars or balls in sports, is usually calibrated with tuning forks. Instead of the frequency, these forks have the calibration speed and radar band (for example X-Band or K-Band) for which they're calibrated.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Tuning Fork'.
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