Question

What is the overtone of a vibrating string?

Hint:

The overtone of a vibrating string refers to the higher-frequency modes of vibration that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. The second harmonic is the first overtone.

Answer 1

For a vibrating string, the fundamental frequency represents the first harmonic. Overtones are vibrational modes at higher frequencies, occurring at integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.
- The fundamental frequency is the first harmonic.
- The first overtone is the second harmonic, with a frequency double that of the fundamental.
- The second overtone is the third harmonic, with a frequency triple that of the fundamental.
Consequently, "overtone" specifically denotes the second harmonic.