I Time period of Beat (acoustics)

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the equation for beats in acoustics, derived from the combination of two sinusoidal waves at different frequencies. The equation illustrates how the amplitude of the resulting wave varies over time, creating a beat effect characterized by alternating loud and soft sounds. The time period of the beats is determined by the difference in frequencies of the two waves, specifically expressed as T = 1/(ν1 - ν2). Participants clarify that the beat frequency is modulated by the sum frequency of the two waves, leading to the perception of beats. Understanding these relationships is essential for analyzing sound wave interactions and their auditory effects.
Huzaifa
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$$y=2 A \cos 2 \pi\left(\frac{\nu_{1}-\nu_{2}}{2}\right) t \sin 2 \pi\left(\frac{\nu_{1}+\nu_{2}}{2}\right) t$$

Can you explain me the significance of the above equation in the context of waves and oscillations? It's something to do with 'beats,'.
 
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Where did you get it from? They probably derive it from the combination of the two sinusoids at different frequencies, no?
 
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_(acoustics)

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berkeman said:
Where did you get it from? They probably derive it from the combination of the two sinusoids at different frequencies, no?
Yes sir, they derived it from $$y_{1}=A \sin \omega_{1} t ; y_{2}=A \sin \omega_{2} t$$
 
$$y=y_{1}+y_{2}=A\left[\sin \omega_{1} t+\sin \omega_{2} t\right]=A\left[2 \sin \left(\frac{\omega_{1}+\omega_{2}}{2}\right) t \cos \left(\frac{\omega_{1}-\omega_{2}}{2}\right) t\right]$$

How to proceed ahead from here?
 
Huzaifa said:
$$y=y_{1}+y_{2}=A\left[\sin \omega_{1} t+\sin \omega_{2} t\right]=A\left[2 \sin \left(\frac{\omega_{1}+\omega_{2}}{2}\right) t \cos \left(\frac{\omega_{1}-\omega_{2}}{2}\right) t\right]$$

How to proceed ahead from here?
Sorry, what do you mean? Are you familiar with common trig identities like the sum of two sine waves?

https://www.purplemath.com/modules/idents.htm

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Consider two two sinusoids at different frequencies $$y_{1}=A \sin \omega_{1} t ; y_{2}=A \sin \omega_{2} t$$
$$y=y_{1}+y_{2}=A\left[\sin \omega_{1} t+\sin \omega_{2} t\right]=A\left[2 \sin \left(\frac{\omega_{1}+\omega_{2}}{2}\right) t \cos \left(\frac{\omega_{1}-\omega_{2}}{2}\right) t\right]$$

For the formation of waxing, A is maximum, what will be the time period? And for the formation of wanning, A is minimum, what will be the time period?
unknown.png

This is from my class notes. Unfortunately, I missed my class and I am not able to understand now. So I have turned to Physics Forums for help.

Please explain me how the time period for the formation of beat T, $$T=\dfrac{1}{\nu_{1}+\nu_{2}}$$
and the beat frequency $$n=\nu_{1} \sim \nu_{2}$$
 
Huzaifa said:
How to solve for time period now?
Which time period? The sound you hear when listening to audio beats is the sum frequency, modulated at the difference frequency. So the period of the beats (the louder-softer characteristic) is at the difference frequency of the two sine waves.
 
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berkeman said:
Which time period? The sound you hear when listening to audio beats is the sum frequency, modulated at the difference frequency. So the period of the beats (the louder-softer characteristic) is at the difference frequency of the two sine waves.
Yes, I think the time period of the beats. Does the time period depend on A? When the A is maximum, $$t=\dfrac{n}{\nu_1-\nu_2}$$, When A is minimum $$t=\dfrac{2n+1}{2 \left( \nu_1-\nu_2 \right)}$$.
 
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