Tuning fork

A tuning fork is an <a href="/facts/Musical_acoustics/Ph6odoAc">acoustic</a> <a href="/facts/Resonator/NjC413Gn">resonator</a> in the form of a two-pronged <a href="/facts/Fork/mgePxNcw">fork</a> with the prongs (<a href="/facts/Tine_(structural)/5b0bATmg">tines</a>) formed from a U-shaped bar of <a href="/facts/Elastic_deformation/z1LEmkQX">elastic</a> metal (usually <a href="/facts/Steel/aN6qWo4H">steel</a>). It <a href="/facts/Acoustic_resonance/BExhpHGK">resonates</a> at a specific constant <a href="/facts/Pitch_(music)/fQAK0JsC">pitch</a> when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object, and emits a pure musical tone once the high <a href="/facts/Overtone/WHchDTSz">overtones</a> fade out. A tuning fork's pitch depends on the length and mass of the two prongs. They are traditional sources of standard pitch for <a href="/facts/Musical_tuning/v5Q1kYxC">tuning</a> musical instruments.
The tuning fork was invented in 1711 by British musician <a href="/facts/John_Shore_(trumpeter)/6DxjrEHm">John Shore</a>, sergeant <a href="/facts/Trumpet/QzvHkd6V">trumpeter</a> and <a href="/facts/Lute/CQhyHry9">lutenist</a> to the royal court.

Tuning fork open-in-new

Tuning fork