Question

How are simple periodic sounds different from complex periodic sounds? What is an example of each?

Answer 1

A simple periodic sound only has one frequency and a complex periodic sound have more than one frequency component.Every periodic sound can be reperesented by sine waves.So simple periodic wave has one sine wave and complex periodic sound has more than one sine waves. A tuning fork oscillating at 420 Hz is an example of simple periodic wave. But musical instruments like flute or Harmonica produce not only the fundamental frequency but also their harmonics like 2f,3f etc.A complex periodic wave is more common in nature .