Harmonics
Article
A harmonic is a sinusoidal component whose frequency is an integer multiple of a fundamental frequency. If the fundamental is f, the harmonics occur at 2f, 3f, 4f, and higher integer multiples.
The fundamental and its harmonics together form a harmonic series. Their relative amplitudes and phases help determine the waveform and timbre of a musical or physical oscillation.
Strings and open air columns often produce approximately harmonic normal modes, while membranes, plates, bells, and other systems may have partials that are not exact integer multiples. In music, the word overtone refers to any component above the fundamental, so overtone numbering differs from harmonic numbering.
Harmonics are central to Fourier analysis, acoustics, electrical engineering, optics, vibration, and musical tuning. Nonlinear systems can generate new harmonics even when driven by a nearly pure sinusoid.
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- Source / publisher: Wikipedia
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Wikipedia
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonics