Alexander Wood (physicist)

Alexander Wood (1879 – 1950) was a Scottish physicist known for his work in acoustics and sound, particularly in the areas of speech and music. He made significant contributions to the understanding of the physical characteristics of musical instruments and the human voice.

Wood studied at the University of Edinburgh, earning a DSc. He then pursued a career in research and education.

His research focused on the physics of music, including the analysis of vowel sounds, the characteristics of musical instruments like the violin and piano, and the perception of sound. He developed instruments for measuring and analyzing sound waves, contributing to a more quantitative understanding of acoustics.

Wood authored several books that became standard texts in the field, including "Physical Basis of Music" (1913), which explained the physical principles underlying musical sounds and instruments. This book served as a valuable resource for both physicists and musicians, bridging the gap between scientific understanding and musical practice. He also wrote "Acoustics" (1940) which provided a comprehensive overview of the field.

His work influenced the development of speech synthesis and recognition technologies. Wood's legacy resides in his contributions to bridging the gap between physics and music and to advancing the understanding of sound.