Final answer:
The sounds emitted from a violin and a bass fiddle differ in their timbre, the unique set of frequencies and intensities produced by each instrument, contributing to the distinctive quality of sound perceived by the listener.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sounds emitted from a violin and a bass fiddle differ fundamentally in their timbre. Timbre, also known as tone quality, is the characteristic that allows our ears to distinguish different types of sound production, even when the pitch and loudness are the same. Each musical instrument has a unique timbre due to the combination of frequencies and intensities that it produces. When a violin plays middle C, its sound includes a distinctive set of overtones and resonances unlike those produced by a bass fiddle playing the same note. These differences in the acoustic waveforms contribute to the perceptual psychology of sound, where our brain interprets the complexities of timbre, making each instrument's sound unique.
Additionally, the size of the instrument affects the sound waves produced. For instance, a smaller instrument like a violin typically produces a higher-pitched sound compared to the deeper tones of a larger instrument like the bass fiddle. This is because sound energy and wave characteristics, such as frequency and wavelength, are related to the size of the musical instrument.