Bernhard wrote: Yes thatīs what i say. As long as you put the same amount of energy into the key, the sound will not be louder. This the principle of conservation of energy. Well, at one point engineers were invited to step into the debate but this engineer is grossly underqualified. I will, however, comment on the above remark. Conservation of energy says that the amount of energy after the impact has to equal the amount before the impact. Before the impact all we have is the kinetic energy of the hammer. After the impact we have the work done in deflecting the string, the work done in compressing the hammer felt, and some heat absorbed in the fibers of the hammer (some in the string, also). Changing the elasticity of the hammer will change the amount of heat absorbed by the hammer and the amount of deflection of the felt. This means either more (or less) energy must go into the string or into the returning hammer. So for a given energy imparted to the key, conservation of energy does allow for variance of energy to be transferred to the string by changing hammer densities, it seems to me. It has been fascinating to read both sides of the debate, except for the occasional forays into the ad hominems. Thanks to all who have contributed. Blessings, Dean Dean May, PE cell 812.239.3359 PianoRebuilders.com 812.235.5272 Terre Haute IN 47802
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