The reason we can tell the difference between a trumpet and a clarinet when they both play the same pitch is that they have
A)the same overtones.
B)the same harmonics.
C)different fundamental frequencies.
D)different waveforms.
E)harmonic syntheses.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The waveform of a sound is its shape over time and is determined by the specific combination and strength of its harmonics. Different instruments have different waveforms due to the unique combination of harmonics they produce, allowing us to distinguish between them even when playing the same pitch. Therefore, the correct choice is D, different waveforms.

The Reason We Can Tell the Difference Between a Trumpet