Beats

What are beats?

Beats are the phenomena that occur when two similar sound waves interfere with each other. When we talk of interference of waves on one another, you must understand the concept that it could be the superimposition of one wave on another to produce such interference. Beats are also known as periodic fluctuations of these vibrations that produce different intensities; moreover, in most cases, it creates a higher power from the regular wave. These waves occur after a specific period in the propagation of the wave. Beats always remain constant at concerning times. 

Beat Frequency

Beats are affected in several ways, but the easiest way to disturb a beat would be by changing the frequency of the sound wave.

Beats are also affected when there is a change in the frequency at specific intervals. If the frequency of the particle keeps on oscillating, producing different wave patterns at different times, the beats cannot be heard. 

The frequency directly changes the intensity of the beat of the sound wave producing a difference in the interference pattern. Once there is an interference in the superposition principle of the waves, there could be changes in the higher amplitude. On the lower amplitude, antinodes are formed closer, changing the entire beat. 

How are beats generated?

If you wonder how the phenomena occur, you must be familiar with the generation of the waves concerning the generation of the beats in musical instruments and more.

When two different musical instruments are played in a specific vibration, it is toned out from the instrument; there is a possibility that those two frequencies match. But if the exact two frequencies are matched, you won’t hear the beat. For the production of a beat, The frequencies must be in close numbers but not the same. 

When the pitch of both of these instruments are comparatively similar, and with the above-given conditions sound is produced, one can hear a beat at regular intervals in the entire wave, which would be equal to the difference in the frequency of these sounds. It would be best if you remembered that the beat would only be heard when the amplitudes of the antinodes match each other.

Beats and acoustics

Beats and acoustics have a common relation, and the best place to hear a beat is auto experience beat by a sound wave is with acoustic or music. You must know the concept of the principle of superposition to understand how beats occur or work.

According to the law of superposition, when two tones are matched to superimpose their amplitudes or two at their amplitudes, there would be an interference pattern seen with the wave. When a representation regarding the function is drawn in a graph, one can observe that there would not be a maximum or a minimum in such a case. Since the waves collide and produce a new pattern, the maximum and the minimum are no longer constant, and they keep on changing.

When the phase is 180 degrees, the two waves will cancel each other. This means that the maximum of one wave will cancel the minima of the other one. On the other hand, when the phase difference is zero, the two maxima collide to produce a very high-intensity sound. This is all about superposition principle, change in frequencies, and interference pattern because of which beats can be heard.

Concept of binaural beat

Such a beat is an allusion to the listener. There are specific conditions when the beat would be heard. The first condition for such a beat to be heard would be the production of pure sine tones simultaneously. If one fails to produce, there won’t be the generation of binaural beats. 

The second condition is, if both the waves have a frequency less than 1500 Hz, search beats could be heard. The perseverance of these beats depends on the frequency of the sound. If the sound wave gets a frequency of more than 1500 Hz, it becomes tough to identify the human ear.

The third condition for hearing such a beat would be the production of waves with a frequency difference of less than 40 Hz. The frequency difference is an excellent factor to be considered here because if the difference is more, the two waves will never collide, and you cannot expect the superimposition of these waves to produce a new beat. 

The fourth and the most necessary condition for a human to hear such a binaural beat would be the production of two different tones simultaneously on the two different ears. You must listen to the sound from each ear to get the best of these beats. 

The biology of binaural beat

The human brain perceives the binaural beat in a specific way. The origination of these beats occurs in the inferior colliculus of the human brain. If you are unaware of this part, you can get the concept that these waves hit the midbrain of humans to produce the effect. Further, they are transferred to the superior olivary complex, which is the part of the brainstem of the brain. The auditory signal reception is induced in this section of the brain.

The primary carrying impulses are the electric impulses that convert into neurological signals; when there are auditory disturbances in the inner ear produced due to the beat vibration, such electrical disturbance is produced. 

Effects of binaural beat

The discovery of binaural beats was about a better understanding of physics and its propagation law. Still, researchers have claimed that these beats can produce positive effects in numerous people in recent days.

Such a beat production can help reduce stress and, on the other hand, is very useful in giving depressed people specific therapies. 

It has increased motivation and focus in many people and is very common in clinical practises. One must understand that there is no such claimed or proven theory according to the significance of these beats in reducing stress, but many people have found it helpful. 

Conclusion

In our article above, we have mentioned important notes and points about beats and their usage. We have also covered how beat frequency can affect the entire phenomena and the uses and disadvantages of using beats. The article also focuses on beat production with the hindrance of the beat and Occurrence of Beat at different points.