Beats can be heard when two tuning forks?

When two tuning forks with slightly different frequencies are sounded together, the sound waves interfere with each other, creating a phenomenon known as "beats". The beats are perceived as variations in loudness or intensity of sound, and their frequency is equal to the difference in the frequencies of the two tuning forks.

For example, if two tuning forks have frequencies of 256 Hz and 258 Hz, the beats will have a frequency of 2 Hz, meaning that the loudness of the sound will fluctuate twice per second. This fluctuation is caused by the periodic alignment and misalignment of the sound waves from the two tuning forks.

When the sound waves are in phase, meaning they align with each other, the sound will be louder. When they are out of phase, meaning they are opposed to each other, the sound will be softer. This pattern of reinforcement and cancellation creates the beats that are heard.