Savart

Definition

A Savart is a unit of measurement for musical intervals, specifically in the context of logarithmic frequency ratios. It is utilized in various fields including acoustics and magnetism to measure changes in pitch or other periodic phenomena.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Savart is named after the French physicist Félix Savart who made notable contributions to the study of acoustics and electromagnetism.
2. One Savart represents a frequency ratio where the ratio of frequencies is $2^{1/1000}$, making it equal to approximately 3.9863 cents in musical terms.
3. Savarts can be used to describe minute changes in pitch that are not easily represented by other musical interval measurements.
4. In the context of magnetism, understanding logarithmic scales like Savarts helps in quantifying small changes in magnetic field strengths.
5. Savarts are less commonly used today but remain an important historical tool for understanding the evolution of acoustic and electromagnetic measurement.

Review Questions

• Who was the Savart unit named after and what were his contributions?
• How does one Savart relate to musical intervals measured in cents?
• Why might logarithmic scales such as those measured by Savarts be useful in studying magnetic fields?

Related terms

Gauss:

A unit of measurement of magnetic flux density, which is equivalent to one maxwell per square centimeter.

Tesla:

The SI unit for measuring magnetic flux density, where one Tesla equals $10^4$ Gauss.

Oersted:

A unit of magnetic field strength in the CGS system, defined as one dyne per maxwell.