Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

[Phys-l] Harmonics vs Overtones



Would people like to elucidate on the difference between harmonics
vs overtones?
My current thinking:
For a closed tube there can only be odd harmonics (1st - the
fundamental, 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc.), but the overtones are (1st = 3rd
harmonic, 2nd = 5th harmonic, 3rd = 7th harmonic, etc.)

For open tubes and string instruments there can be all harmonics
(1st - the fundamental, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.) and for the overtones (1st
= 2nd harmonic, 2nd = 3th harmonic, 3rd = 4th harmonic, etc.)Tim
O'Donnell
Instructor of Physics and Chemistry
Celina High School
715 East Wayne Street
Celina, Ohio 45822
(419) 586-8300 Ext 1200 or 1201
odonnt@celina.k12.oh.us

"Chance only favors the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur