How can a nucleus make a sound?

In summary, the Last Three Minutes by Paul Davies discusses the concept of WIMPs and an experiment designed to detect their presence. The experiment involves a crystal surrounded by a cooling system, which is extremely sensitive to the heat energy created by the recoil of atomic nuclei when struck by a WIMP. This heat energy is then converted into sound, or lattice vibrations, which can be detected by the crystal. This concept challenges the traditional understanding of sound as being caused by physical particles moving and activating our ear hairs.
  • #1
robertjford80
388
0
This is from Paul Davies the Last Three Minutes

Assuming the universe is replete with them, there would be an enormous number of WIMPs going through us (and the Earth) all the time. The principle of the experiment is mind-boggling: to detect the sound a WIMP makes when it bangs into an atomic nucleus!
The apparatus consists of a crystal of germanium or silicon surrounded by a cooling system. If a WIMP strikes a nucleus in the crystal, its momentum will cause the nucleus to recoil. This sudden shock creates a tiny sound wave, or vibration, in the crystal lattice. As the wave spreads, it will be damped and turned into heat energy. The experiment is designed to detect the minute pulse of heat associated with the decaying sound wave. Because the crystal is cooled to near absolute zero, the detector is extremely sensitive to the injection of any heat energy

I thought sound is due to particles moving up and down which activate hairs inside our ear which our immaterial, nonphysical, unconscious mind converts into meaning and communicates that meaning to the conscious mind. I don't see how the movement of one nucleus could create a sound. The only out I see is if that nucleus then causes other nuclei to move which is ultimately detected by the crystal lattice.
 
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  • #2
Here, "sound" simply means lattice vibrations.

Zz.
 
  • #3
Of course, if the crystal is in air, that vibration of the crystal lattice can cause molecules of air to vibrate- thus, causing sound waves in the air.
 

1. How can a nucleus make a sound?

The nucleus itself does not produce sound. Sound is produced when objects vibrate and create waves of pressure in the air. In some cases, the vibrations of particles within a nucleus can produce sound waves.

2. What causes the particles in a nucleus to vibrate?

The particles in a nucleus can vibrate due to a variety of reasons, such as temperature changes, collisions with other particles, or reactions with incoming particles. These vibrations can then create sound waves.

3. Can all nuclei produce sound?

No, not all nuclei can produce sound. Only those with a specific combination of properties, such as a certain size and composition, can vibrate enough to create audible sound waves.

4. How loud can a nuclear sound be?

The loudness of a nuclear sound depends on the strength and frequency of the vibrations. However, most nuclear sounds are not audible to the human ear as they are often very faint and at high frequencies.

5. Are there any practical applications of nuclear sound?

Yes, nuclear sounds can be used in various fields such as nuclear physics and medical imaging. By analyzing the vibrations of different nuclei, scientists can gain valuable information about the structure and properties of matter at the atomic level.

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