tuning fork

device used to produce a fixed tone

AI overview

A tuning fork is a small metal device shaped like a fork that vibrates to produce a fixed musical tone. It's useful for tuning musical instruments and checking if they're playing at the correct pitch.

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Image: Diapason elettromagnetico, da 128 Hz - Museo scienza tecnologia Milano 04221 01.jpg

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Commons category: Tuning forks
Commons gallery: Tuning fork

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Tuning fork by John Walker stamped with note (E) and frequency in hertz (659)

A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the prongs (tines) formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal (usually steel). It resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object, and emits a pure musical tone once the high overtones 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 tuning musical instruments.