A tuning fork should be set into oscillation by striking it with a soft rubber mallet rather than a hard metal mallet to primarily excite the fundamental frequency, which is the main mode for the tuning fork to operate. A soft rubber mallet allows for a cleaner and more focused excitation of the fundamental frequency due to its damping properties, which help to absorb higher frequencies and minimize the excitation of unwanted higher-order modes.
In contrast, a hard metal mallet generates sharp stress waves and high-frequency components when striking the tuning fork. This excitation of higher-order modes degrades the clarity and purity of the desired fundamental frequency and can result in less precise tuning.
In summary, using a soft rubber mallet to strike a tuning fork helps to maintain the clear and precise production of the fundamental frequency while minimizing the excitation of unwanted higher-order modes.
Why should a tuning fork be set into oscillation by striking it with a soft rubber mallet rather than with a hard metal mallet?
Striking it with a hard mallet excites higher order modes rather than mainly the fundamental. That is because a hard mallet impact causes steep stress waves with high frequency components to go back and forth in the fork.
That is my educated guess at the answer. There is probably a better way of saying it.
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