1. Mechanical Vibration: Plucking the string causes it to vibrate back and forth rapidly. This vibration is mechanical in nature and involves the movement of the string itself.
2. Wave Propagation: As the string vibrates, it creates waves that travel along its length. These waves are called transverse waves, where the particles of the string move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
3. Sound Production: The vibrating string causes the surrounding air to vibrate as well. These air vibrations are perceived by our ears as sound. The frequency of the sound corresponds to the frequency of the string's vibration, while the amplitude corresponds to the strength of the vibration.
4. Harmonics: In addition to the fundamental frequency, guitar strings also vibrate at multiple harmonic frequencies. These harmonics are higher-frequency components that are related to the fundamental frequency by whole number ratios. They add richness and complexity to the sound of the guitar.
5. Timbre: The combination of the fundamental frequency, harmonics, and other acoustic characteristics creates the unique timbre or tone of a guitar string. Each type of string (e.g., nylon, steel, wound) and each guitar construction contributes to the overall sound and timbre of the instrument.
6. Sustain: The length of time that a guitar string continues to vibrate and produce sound after it is plucked is referred to as sustain. It depends on several factors, including the material and tension of the string, the damping characteristics of the guitar body, and the player's technique.
The interplay of these physical phenomena allows guitarists to produce a wide range of sounds and music with their instruments.