You’ve purchased two identical violin strings. You install one of the strings in a conventional violin; the other string you stretch between two posts, each attached to rigid concrete pillar in the open air. Both strings are made of the same materials, have the same length and are tensioned identically. What difference in sounds would you expect to hear between the two strings? Note: you must clearly mark your answer(s) (for example, highlight it in red) from the multiple-choice list below and you must provide an explanation of your answer to receive credit. Review: course textbook (section 9.1).

a. The string in the violin would produce a higher frequency
b. The string in the violin would produce fewer harmonics
c. The string in the violin would produce a louder sound
d. The string in the violin would move less
e. The string in the violin would produce a softer sound
Explanation:

a. The string in the violin would produce a higher frequency

Based on the information provided, the most likely answer is e. The string in the violin would produce a softer sound compared to the string stretched between two posts.

This conclusion can be drawn due to the difference in the acoustic environment. When a string is installed in a conventional violin, it is surrounded by the hollow body of the instrument. The body of the violin serves as a resonator, enhancing the sound produced by the string and projecting it outward. This amplification of sound results in a louder and more vibrant tone.

On the other hand, when the string is stretched between two posts in the open air, there is no resonating body to enhance the sound. The sound waves produced by the string would not be amplified or projected as effectively, resulting in a softer sound.

To further confirm this answer, you can refer to section 9.1 of the course textbook, which is not provided here. The textbook may discuss the importance of the resonating body in string instruments and how it affects the sound produced.

Therefore, the expected difference in sound between the two strings is that the string in the violin would produce a softer sound.