Does Wind Affect How We Perceive Sound Volume?

[kent davidge]

I live in a country where people (unfortunately) have a culture of listening music at very high volume in their houses, frequently from their car. However I've been noticing that the sound some of the neighbours sound oscillates from time to time between a high volume and a "low" volume. I've been thinking that this is because they deliberately turn the volume up and down, but today I started thinking that maybe it's due to wind affecting the waves. What's more likely?

BTW do people in US/UK have this unfortunate habit, too?

 

[berkeman]

In the US, our audio amps go to 11.

 

[lekh2003]

I've been thinking that this is because they deliberately turn the volume up and down

Any neighbours playing devastating sounds all day, could be messing with you.

Then again, maybe it's because they are closing a door in their house? Or there is a movement of the sound? Wind shouldn't really affect the way the sound travels (at least what I know).

No real way of knowing. Maybe ask them whether they are messing with you?

BTW do people in US/UK have this unfortunate habit, too?

In Australia (nanny state), we have laws against this. You can be fined around 2 dollars per dB above a certain limit if it is after 7 PM on a weekday and 9 PM on a weekend. I could be wrong, but we have much too many laws and rules.

 

[davenn]

Then again, maybe it's because they are closing a door in their house? Or there is a movement of the sound? Wind shouldn't really affect the way the sound travels (at least what I know).

it will affect it considerably, but probably not overly much between 2 houses side by side

You forgot that the air is the medium in which the sound travels, so if that medium is altered, then it will directly affect the propagation of sound

 

[lekh2003]

it will affect it considerably, but probably not overly much between 2 houses side by side

You forgot that the air is the medium in which the sound travels, so if that medium is altered, then it will directly affect the propagation of sound

Air is the medium, but then again, when I thought about it, when the houses would be so close together, how would subtle changes in the medium affect the sound to the point where there is a noticeable increase and decrease in volume.

Unless of course the wind is actually that strong that sound can simply not travel well at all. But as described by the OP, this seems to be pretty simple basic breeze between two decently spaced houses.

 

[davenn]

Air is the medium, but then again, when I thought about it, when the houses would be so close together, how would subtle changes in the medium affect the sound to the point where there is a noticeable increase and decrease in volume.

as I hinted ... yes
if the windows/doors of the adjoining homes were facing each other, the gap is probably only a few metres and the effect would probably not be noticeableD

 

[davenn]

In the US, our audio amps go to 11.

we only have 5 settings on our amps in Australia
off, soft, loud, very loud and window shattering

BTW do people in US/UK have this unfortunate habit, too?

seriously tho. loud noise/music from neighbours can be a problem in any country
in New Zealand and Australia, most city/town councils have noise control officers that will work with offenders and also with the police when necessary

Dave

 

[Keith_McClary]

A gradient in wind speed can affect sound:

https://recordingsofnature.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/road-noise-and-the-influence-of-weather-factors/

 

[kent davidge]

Thanks to all.

On the same way that we have Weinberg's three volumes in QFT, is anyone aware of an advanced book on the theory of waves?