If a vibrating string is shortened to half its length, the pitch becomes what?

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Study for the Academic Decathlon Music Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each accompanied by hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

If a vibrating string is shortened to half its length, the pitch becomes what?

Explanation:
Pitch comes from how fast the string vibrates. For a string fixed at both ends with the same tension and mass per length, the fundamental vibration frequency is inversely related to the length. If you shorten the string to half its length, the fundamental wavelength becomes shorter, and with the same wave speed, the frequency doubles. Doubling the frequency raises the pitch by an octave, so the note sounds twice as high.

Pitch comes from how fast the string vibrates. For a string fixed at both ends with the same tension and mass per length, the fundamental vibration frequency is inversely related to the length. If you shorten the string to half its length, the fundamental wavelength becomes shorter, and with the same wave speed, the frequency doubles. Doubling the frequency raises the pitch by an octave, so the note sounds twice as high.

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