Rainbow springs

Classical Mechanics Level 2

A remarkable variety of sounds can be made by striking objects a single time with a stick. The familiar sound of a snare drum, a steel drum, or even the laser chirps in the video above are all made by delivering a quick impulse to the respective systems. How can it be that a single impulse can give rise to all of these sounds, each of which is composed of a unique, rich blend of frequencies?

Details

A very fast strike to a system (like a drumstick quickly hitting a drum) is called an impulse.

All frequencies enter objects, many are lost to the surroundings. We hear ones the object can trap. An impulse contains all frequencies, each can behave differently in traveling through a system. Sound exits objects in different directions, sounds arise when signals recombine in the ear. Objects trap some frequencies, rejected ones reflect immediately, we hear what enters objects..