) READING 2
The vocal tract is a resonator, and the transmission of a sound through an acoustic resonator is highly dependent upon frequency. Sounds at the resonance frequency are less attenuated than other sounds, and are therefore radiated with a higher relative amplitude, or with a greater relative loudness than other sounds. The vocal tract has four or five important resonances called formants [18]. Each formant is associated with a standing wave, that is, with a static pattern of pressure oscillations whose amplitude is at a maximum at the glottal end and near a minimum at the lip opening. The lowest formant corresponds to a quarter of a wavelength, which is to say that a quarter of its wavelength fits within the vocal tract. Similarly, the second, third and fourth formants correspond respectively to a three-quarters wavelength, one and a quarter wavelengths and one and three-quarters wavelengths.
[18] Johan Sundberg, “The Acoustics of the Singing Voice,” SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, March 1977.
Which of the following is NOT a formant wavelength?
A. lambda/4
B. lambda/2
C. 3lambda/4
D. 7lambda/4
1 Answer
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Interesting article. Since lambda is wavelength, the only answer not listed in the last 2 sentences of the article is B (lambda/2).
