Final answer:
The term E-flat minor itself does not have a designation like 'subdominant' unless in relation to another key scale. In physics, striking F, F-sharp, and G on a piano simultaneously produces beat frequencies of 21 Hz and 22 Hz, creating discordance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term E-flat minor refers to a musical key, and in the context of the question, it seems that the student is asking for the term that describes the role of E-flat minor in music theory. However, the options given (1) 4, (2) fa, (3) subdominant) do not directly describe E-flat minor as a key. Option 1 seems to refer to a numeric value, option 2 corresponds to a solfege syllable (which is a method of naming pitches in a scale), and option 3, subdominant, refers to the fourth degree of a scale or its corresponding chord in a given key. If the question is asking about what role E-flat minor serves, it would depend on the context within a specific piece or scale. E-flat minor as a standalone key does not have a term like 'subdominant' unless it's in relation to another key.
In physics and acoustics, when three adjacent keys on a piano (F, F-sharp, and G) with frequencies of 349, 370, and 392 Hz are struck simultaneously, they will produce beat frequencies due to the phenomenon of interference. The beat frequency is determined by finding the absolute difference between pairs of frequencies. Therefore, there are two beat frequencies produced: one between F and F-sharp (370 Hz - 349 Hz = 21 Hz), and another between F-sharp and G (392 Hz - 370 Hz = 22 Hz). These beat frequencies cause the discordant sound that is heard when these piano keys are struck together.