# Ex 5.1 - Beats

In acoustics, a beat is an interference between two sounds of slightly different frequencies, perceived as periodic variations in volume whose rate is the difference between the two frequencies.1

In the simplest case, each of the two sounds can be described by a monochromatic wave ( = a wave that can be described by a single frequency). We have then: \begin{aligned} u_1 (x, t) &= A \cos(\omega_1 t - k_1 x + \phi_1) \\ u_2 (x, t) &= A \cos(\omega_2 t - k_2 x + \phi_2)\end{aligned} with the condition $$\omega_1 \neq \omega_2$$.

The amplitude of the wave is the maximum value it attains during an oscillation. In our case, the amplitudes of the waves coincide and they have value $$A$$.

The phase of the wave is the argument of its oscillating function. In our case, the two phases are:2

\begin{aligned} \psi_1(x, t) &= \omega_1 t - k_1 x + \phi_1.\\ \psi_2(x, t) &= \omega_2 t - k_2 x + \phi_2.\nonumber \label{eq:phase}\end{aligned}

Beats can be perceived only when the amplitude of the two starting waves are the same, and their frequencies are very close, meaning that $$(\omega_1 - \omega_2)/(\omega_1 + \omega_2) \ll 1$$. While the amplitude condition is mathematically necessary, as we will show later, the frequency condition just helps to make the phenomenon more evident to our ears. We will not assume it in the following unless specified otherwise.

1. Definition taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_(acoustics), where you can find also nice animations and diagrams.

2. The parameters $$\phi_1$$ and $$\phi_2$$ are sometimes referred to as phase offsets.