Question

How does resonance work in a guitar?

Answer 1

Hint : The question we have to answer is how exactly do the iconic contraptions in their hands produce notes, rhythm, melody and music as well as do the musicians control the quality of sound they produce. For this, we shall know more about the phenomena of resonance taking place in waves all around us.

Complete step-by-step solution:
When we pluck a guitar string, we can create a vibration called a standing wave. Some points on the string are called nodes which do not move at all whereas other points called anti-noes oscillate back and forth. The vibration translates through the neck and bridge to the guitar’s body where the thin and flexible wood vibrates, jostling the surrounding air molecules together and apart.
These sequential compressions create sound waves and the ones inside the guitar mostly escape through the hole. They eventually propagate to our ear which translates them into electrical impulses that our brain interprets as sound.
Resonance is the phenomena that occurs when an object with natural frequency, receives a forced vibration at the same frequency and starts oscillating.
The strings of a guitar also have a natural frequency. However, when the guitarist applies forced vibration of the same frequency, the strings of the guitar also start oscillating and hence produce sound.

Note:
The pitch of sound depends on the frequency of the compressions. A quickly vibrating spring will cause a lot of compressions close together, making a high-pitched sound. On the other hand, a slow vibration produces a low-pitched sound. Hence, the sound produced can be easily manipulated by the producer.