Calculate Bell Ringing Frequency | 8.5cm Diam, Cast Brass

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    Bell Frequency
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the frequency of an 8.5 cm diameter cast brass bell, particularly in the context of activating it with a buzzer for prolonged sound. Participants explore the factors influencing the bell's frequency, including its weight and material properties, and discuss methods for measuring or calculating the frequency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the calculation of the bell's frequency and the impact of weight on sound quality.
  • Another participant suggests that numerical methods are necessary for real bells due to material imperfections, questioning the feasibility of obtaining a useful answer through calculations.
  • A suggestion is made to measure the frequency directly using a microphone and software, highlighting the ease of this method.
  • Participants discuss various software options for analyzing frequency, including Sigview and AP Tuner, noting their capabilities and limitations.
  • One participant proposes using auditory methods to identify the bell's note and then referencing known frequencies.
  • A later post mentions the need for specific resonant frequencies (392 Hz and 1700 Hz) for piezo alarms to ring the bell, along with a timer requirement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best approach to determine the bell's frequency, with some advocating for measurement and others discussing the complexities of calculation. No consensus is reached on a definitive method or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the influence of material imperfections on resonance frequency, suggesting that assumptions about the bell's properties may affect calculations. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with software tools and measurement techniques.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those involved in acoustics, bell design, or sound engineering, as well as hobbyists looking to explore sound measurement techniques.

UUallace
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How do I calculate the frequency of an 8.5 cm diameter bell ?
The bell is cast brass for resonance, but I intend to activate it with a buzzer so sound will last for more than a few seconds. Does the weight affect anything other than volume ? I intend to use it inverted, supported near the "top".
 
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You don't.
For a real bell you would need to use numericial methods to solve the equations (unless you have a VERY simple bell, i.e. something very symmetric) but even then you are not very likely to get a useful answer, partly because real bells are note made of a "perfect" material; various imperfections etc (which in turn depends on how the bell was cast) can have quite a large influence on the resonance frequency.

Is there any reason why you simply can't measure the frequency? It should be easy, all you need is a microphone connected to the sound card of a computer+some suitable software.
 
Here is a description of what you have to do to http://www.rps.psu.edu/sep99/freedom.html".

"dividing the surface of the bell into a grid made of 450 squares. 'There's an equation describing the vibration of each square, and the computer can solve all the equations simultaneously,' "
 
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"a traditional English-bell profile "
What I need is the "dominant strike chord"

Any suggestions on "some suitable software" ?
 
Well, all you need is some software that can show you the frequency spectrum of the signal from the microphone. Sigview comes to mind and you can download a free trial version.

However, you could also try something VERY simple such as AP Tuner which is a program used to tune guitars, by default it will only show you what note you are playing (i.e. A, C# etc) but if you look n the "Recording Device and Calibration" it will also show you the last detected frequency.
Or, alternatively, you could just look up what frequency e.g. C# corresponds to (chances are that a bell will be reasonably well "tuned" to a note).
 
I need piezo(?) alarms to ring my bell. I need a resonant frequencies of 392 hz and 1700 hz, 12 volts would be best. Also need a 30 minute timer.
 

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