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A hand holding a U-shaped tuning fork.

Hand with tuning fork

A hand holding a U-shaped tuning fork.

A pair of hands holding a tube and tuning fork over a resonator.

Hands with tuning fork and tube

A pair of hands holding a tube and tuning fork over a resonator.

A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the 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 after waiting a moment to allow some high overtones to die out. The pitch that a particular tuning fork generates depends on the length of the two prongs. Its main use is as a standard of pitch to tune other musical instruments.

Tuning Fork

A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the tines formed from…

A tuning fork on top of a hollow box.

Tuning fork and box

A tuning fork on top of a hollow box.