What is meant by fundamental frequency?

Fundamental frequency refers to the lowest frequency produced by any vibrating body, which is the primary frequency that defines the pitch of the sound it generates. This concept is crucial in fields such as acoustics, music, and hearing sciences, since the fundamental frequency is perceived as the basic pitch of a sound.

When a body vibrates, it can produce a series of frequencies known as overtones or harmonics, but the fundamental frequency is what establishes the basic tone. For example, when a guitar string is plucked, the main frequency that you hear—that gives the note its character—is the fundamental frequency, while the other higher frequencies contribute to the timbre or richness of the sound.

The other options refer to different aspects of sound and vibration. The highest frequency produced would be considered as part of the harmonic series, not the fundamental. The average frequency is not a defined concept in this context and does not pinpoint a specific frequency related to vibratory bodies. Lastly, the total range of audible frequencies encompasses everything that can be heard by the human ear, not specifically focused on the fundamental frequency. Understanding fundamental frequency is essential for hearing instrument specialists when assessing and addressing hearing loss and sound perception.