----- Original Message ----- From: "Don" <drose@dlcwest.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: November 08, 2000 3:20 PM Subject: Re: RIPPEN soundboards -- its gotten longer > Hi Del, > > And what is the wavelength for 27 hertz? I was once told it is about 27 > feet. Difficult to design a piano that large. > > Regards, > Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.M.T., R.P.T. --------------------------------- Wavelength is a function of frequency and the speed of sound through the material in question. The speed of sound depends on physical characteristics of that material -- mostly on its density. Somewhat on the material's temperature. (Usually density is also temperature variable.) In air at sea level and at freezing the speed of sound is approximately 331 m/sec or approx. 1090 ft/sec. It increases as temperature increases. Using this figure, the wavelength at 27.5 cps is 12 m or 39.6 ft. Other than being of academic interest, however, this knowledge is of little importance in designing a piano. The implication is that it would be desirable for the piano to have a bass string designed of that length; something I would take issue with. Yes, it would be difficult to build a piano with a bass string of that length. But no more difficult to design. The computer really doesn't care how long the line is.... Del
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