Nothing stupid please ._.
For example:
This here is a happy little sine wave, typical of a clean guitar sound. What makes this characteristic of the guitar is a sharp attack, followed by a slow and gradual decay in volume. An instrument such as a cello would have a different gradation, gradually rising and then stopping more abruptly.
Here is a basic introduction to the four waveforms used most commonly in electronic music. Manipulating these waveforms is how synthesizers are able to mimic the tones and other characteristics of different instruments.
It's 1 in the morning and I need to get to bed, but I'll try to find some more information for you tomorrow, assuming this is what you're looking for.
Best of luck!
Explain the concept of volume on acoustic instruments?