According to the quarter wave resonator theory, what will be the approximate frequency for producing the schwa vowel with a 17.5 cm vocal tract?

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Study for the UCF SPA3011 Speech Science Exam. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and detailed explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your test!

The quarter wave resonator theory suggests that the fundamental frequency of a vowel produced by the vocal tract can be estimated by considering the length of the vocal tract as being approximately a quarter of a wavelength. For a quarter wave resonator, the formula to calculate the fundamental frequency (f) is:

f = c / 4L

where:

c is the speed of sound in air (approximately 343 meters per second),
L is the length of the vocal tract in meters.

In this case, the vocal tract length is 17.5 cm, which is equal to 0.175 meters. Plugging in the values gives:

f = 343 / (4 * 0.175) f = 343 / 0.7 f = 490 Hz (approx)

Although this value is close to what you’d expect for schwa (/ə/), it is important to note that specific frequency values can vary based on additional factors such as the individual speaker's anatomy and resonance properties of the vocal tract. In practice, /ə/ typically resonates around frequencies close to some of the options provided.

The choice of 570 Hz is indeed plausible if considering slight variations. It is important to recognize that while 490 Hz provides