Question

The lowest frequency found in a complex tone, like a note played on a piano is called:

1) Fundamental frequency
2) Harmonic frequency
3) Resonant frequency
4) Amplitude frequency

Answer 1

The lowest frequency in a complex tone is called the fundamental frequency, which is the base of the harmonic series and establishes the note's pitch.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lowest frequency found in a complex tone, such as a note played on a piano, is called the fundamental frequency. This frequency is the foundation of the harmonic series and determines the pitch of the note we hear. In the context of musical sounds, such as those produced by piano strings, air columns, or other musical instruments, the fundamental frequency corresponds to the longest wavelength and hence the lowest pitch in a set of harmonics, which are all multiples of this fundamental frequency.

The term harmonics collectively refers to the fundamental and its overtones, with the fundamental being the first harmonic. The overtones, also known as harmonics when they are integer multiples of the fundamental, each correspond to a higher frequency, and they contribute to the timbre or color of the sound.