Swooshing noise as car drives near obstacles

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    Car Noise
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of hearing a swooshing noise when driving past obstacles, such as trees, with open windows. Participants explore the causes of this sound, considering various factors related to air turbulence and noise reflection.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the swooshing noise may be due to a combination of the car's motor noise and air turbulence being reflected from nearby obstacles, potentially involving a Doppler effect.
  • Another participant proposes that the noise is typically a result of tire, mechanical, and aerodynamic sounds being reflected back, especially when driving near walls.
  • A humorous remark is made about the implications of driving close to a tree, indicating a concern for airflow interaction.
  • A later post comments on the realization of how noisy the car is when driving past obstacles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple viewpoints regarding the causes of the swooshing noise, and no consensus is reached on a single explanation.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of sound reflection and airflow interaction remain unexamined, and the discussion does not resolve the complexities of these interactions.

davidbenari
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As you drive with your windows open you can hear a sound due to some continuous stream of air that is hitting your face, or whatever. But why is it then, that when you drive past by some obstacle, like a tree, you hear a swooshing noise? What is causing this?
 
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Typically you're hearing tire, mechanical, and maybe some aero noise being reflected back to you. It's especially obvious when you drive next to a wall.

If you're driving close enough to a tree that your airflow is interacting noticeably with the tree, then you may want to back off a bit. :smile:
 
olivermsun said:
If you're driving close enough to a tree that your airflow is interacting noticeably with the tree, then you may want to back off a bit. :smile:

Very well put. I laughed.
 
You finally hear how noisy your car is.
 

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