Thermal Expansion of piano wire

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the change in string frequency of piano wire due to thermal expansion. Key parameters include string length, diameter, area, and partial frequency, with a specific observation of a 0.2-0.3 cent decrease in pitch for each 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature around A4. Essential concepts include the thermal coefficient of length expansion, Young's modulus, and the relationship between tension and frequency, governed by the equation v=fλ. The user seeks to create an Excel spreadsheet to model these changes accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermal expansion principles
  • Knowledge of Young's modulus and its application in tensioned materials
  • Familiarity with the physics of sound waves and frequency calculations
  • Proficiency in Excel for data modeling and analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the thermal coefficient of length expansion for piano wire
  • Learn how to calculate Young's modulus for different materials
  • Explore the relationship between tension and frequency in stringed instruments
  • Develop skills in using Excel for modeling physical phenomena
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Musicians, acoustics engineers, and physics enthusiasts interested in the effects of temperature on stringed instrument tuning and performance.

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I'd like to setup an Excel spreadsheet to demonstrate the expected change in string frequency due to small changes in temperature. How should I go about doing this?

This is the data from the piano that I can gather:
-string length
-string diameter
-string area
-string/partial frequency

How do I put this information together to show how, for example, a 1 degree increase in temperature will effect a pitch change in cents across the entire piano? There are other parts like the wood and the iron frame that also expand, but I'm not so concerned with those aspects at the moment. I would like to be able to compare what the strings should do in isolation, with what I can observe directly from the piano under different conditions.

At the piano, I normally observe a 0.2-0.3 cent decrease for a 1 degree increase in temperature around A4. I would like to be able to predict exactly what it should be for each note.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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The important factor will be the length - since the string is very long compared to it's diameter.
You will also need the thermal coefficient of length expansion for the wire... most wires are under tension, changing the "length" will not change the length of the wire on the frame, but will change how tightly it fits over the frame. So you need youngs modulus, and how that turns the wire into a spring - though you can get the spring constant by measuring.

The tension affects the speed of sound on the wire, the frame fixes the wavelength, so you get the frequency from ##v=f\lambda##.

i.e. you need more physics than you are considering.

Also see:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/calculate-a-thermal-expansion-pitch-change.250590/
 

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