Answers to Readers' Questions on Sound Creation. Also refer to physics, tuning fork, loudspeaker, guitar string, drum, vocal chords, kazoo, bottle, air, blowing, explosion, compression wave, vibrations, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Sound Creation
The following 11 questions have been answered. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Science is awesome
- Want more information on sound waves for project
- Why do people like to sing in the bathroom?
- Creating good physical sensory experiences?
- How do microphones work?
- How sound is created by microphone
- Sound of motorbikes
- Why subwoofers get louder
- Standing waves
- Vibration in water
Science is awesome
Question
January 8, 2009
Science is awesome! I just love it !!!!
marissa - USA
17076
Answer
That is great! I am sure you will do well in your classes and go far in you life.
Want more information on sound waves for project
Question
December 31, 2008
I was wondering I am having a school science fair and would love to have some more information onsound waves, thanks.
colette - USA
17030
Answer
Before seeking information on sound waves, you really need to come up with a great idea for a science fair project.
What interests you or what make you curious about sound? Is there something that you would like to demonstrate or show to the other students? Do you have some new idea about how to create sound that you would like to try? Or what about sound-proofing a room?
Look around you and think of something that you would like to do first. Then things will fall in place much easier.
Best wishes on success in your science fair.
Why do people like to sing in the bathroom?
Question
March 4, 2006
Why do people like to sing in the bathroom? (related to sound)
Hui Min - Singapore
10323
Answer
The small room with solid walls creates echoes and also resonates the sound so that the person can hear himself or herself singing. The effects of the echoes makes the voice sound much better than it really is. Thus people love to sing and hear themselves.
Creating good physical sensory experiences?
Question
January 18, 2005
As you know some sounds are better than others. Which sounds (or what types of sounds) are the best at creating good physical sensory experiences?
Nicholi - Canada
5661
Answer
For some reason certain notes or pitches are more pleasing to humans than others. Also, certain combinations of musical notes are more pleasing. But that also is related to culture, because some countries have music that sounds just awful to those in another country.
Also, there are low pitches that are used in meditation that seem to relax the system. One company that sells such products is at:
http://www.healingproducts.com/psipro.htm. You can get some more information from their site.
How do microphones work?
Question
January 10, 2005
Can you provide provide me with some recources (internet sites) that have an information on sound concept in microphone ( how it travels, how can you hear it,what causes the sound, etc..)
Thanks
- Canada
5579
Answer
See: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question309.htm for some information.
How sound is created by microphone
Question
January 9, 2005
I'm seeking for information about how sound can be created in microphone and can be heard by human ears using some terminology. I would appreciate if you would help me.
Thanks
- Canada
5548
Answer
The microphone detects the sound vibrations and changed it to electrical signals. They cause the loud speaker cone to vibrate, creating sound for the ear to hear.
Sound of motorbikes
Question
June 16, 2004
some students in my class are researching how or why motorbikes make their noise and how different motorbikes have different sounds? We are having trouble finding this answer and would love for you to help us in anyway. thank you.
Meagan - Australia
3569
Answer
Any gasoline engine gets its power from the explosion of the fuel. In an automobile, the muffler system reduces the sound so that you can hardly hear it. In a motorbike, the muffler is very small and the pipe is short. This means that it does not do a good job at reducing the noise from the engine explosions.
Some companies actually "tune" their muffler system to make a more pleasant sound. The principle is similar to that of a a pipe organ.
Check for some information:
http://www.mongoose.net/drw/d22-35573-Harley-Ultra-Road-King-Perf-Mufflers.html
Why subwoofers get louder
Question
December 18, 2003
I am in love with car stereos and i was wondering why my sub-woofers get louder when i face the cone away from the front of my car and face them toward the back so they hit the trunk lid?
cory - USA
1638
Answer
The sound might be reflecting back from the trunk. That is why it is good to use an equalizer with your stereo, so that you can tune the sound for the geometry of the inside of your car.
Standing waves
Question
December 8, 2003
The floor of a kitchen vibrates because of a laundry in action. A glass of water stands on the kitchen table. for certain speeds of rotation of the dryer, stationary concentric ripples are observed on the surface of the water. explain this, please.
Kerren - Canada
1521
Answer
Those are called standing waves. The rate of vibration determines the frequency--and thus the wavelength--of the waves in the water glass. If the rate is such for a given sized glass that the waves reinforce each other, the waves appear the be standing still. It is similar to resonance in a pipe or horn.
Vibration in water
Question
October 10, 2003
If a stationary object is hit by a moving object, the stationary object will vibrate because it is fixed to the ground. However, the ground is actually the sea bed as this is all happening under water. I need to measure the feedback frequency vibration but first I was wandering how the vibration frequency is influenced by the fact that this is all happening under water. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Fraser - USA
794
Answer
If the object was floating in space, you would have a regular vibration upon being hit by another moving object, according to its material and elasticity. As soon as the object is in some fluid like air or water, there is a damping effect on the vibration, such that the vibration energy will be absorbed into the fluid. Of course, this is more obvious in water.
In the real world, the object fixed to the ground is really part of the ground. It will vibrate, but also the ground or sea bed material will also vibrate or transmit a small shock wave. So, some of the energy from the object vibrating will be lost to the sea bed.
The problem can get quite complex. I would start with the perfect case and then add the effects of damping from the water. The effect of the transmission of vibration to the sea bed may be minimal, but should be mentioned.
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Answers to Readers' Questions on Sound Creation