Question

Which characteristic of sound enables us to distinguish two musical notes coming from different sources, but having the same frequency and loudness?

Answer 1

Quality of sound is the characteristic of sound which helps to distinguish between two musical notes having same frequency and loudness. This characteristic is above all the fundamental properties like amplitude, wavelength and frequency.

Complete step by step solution:
Timbre of sound enables us to distinguish two musical notes coming from different sources but having the same frequency and loudness. The quality of sound primarily depends on the waveform of the sound. Generally a simple waveform can be generated using a tuning fork. But other musical tones consist of very complex waveforms. They can also consist of additional frequencies of f, 2f, 3f etc. These additional frequencies are called overtones or harmonics.

Also the quality of sound is determined by number, frequency and intensities of components of simple tones from which complex tones are made of. Other properties like amplitude and frequency cannot distinguish between the complex musical tones. So quality of sound is used. Timbre is then a general term for the distinguishable characteristics of a tone. Each and every music has a different timbre which makes it distinguishable from other music. There are many types of musical notes which are produced from different sources. Some are produced digitally while some are produced by instruments. This makes musical notes different from each other.

Note Amplitude, frequency and wavelength can be the same for two musical notes but to distinguish between them timbre is used. This characteristic is specially for determining the difference between two musical notes. Other properties set the behavior, loudness and pitch of sound.