What type of sound does a tuning fork typically produce when struck?

A tuning fork produces a high frequency sound when struck due to its design and the physical properties of the metal used in its construction. The fork vibrates at a specific frequency that is generally in the range of a musical note, which falls into the higher frequency category.

When the tines of the tuning fork are struck, they create a vibration that causes the surrounding air molecules to oscillate, generating sound waves. These vibrations are characteristic of the tuning fork's shape, which is specifically engineered to produce a clear and sustained tone, usually within the range of 256 Hz to 512 Hz, depending on its size and length.

In contrast, low frequency sounds have longer wavelengths and correspond to vibrations at a slower rate, while continuous sounds imply a sound that does not have a defined pitch over time. Variable pitch sounds would indicate fluctuations in frequency, which is not typical of tuning forks that are designed to emit a consistent pitch when struck.