What is needed to allow sound to move an object

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the factors that determine whether an object in the path of a sound wave will experience a force. Participants explore the influence of sound frequency, object material and shape, and the concept of resonance in relation to sound waves and their effects on objects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if low frequency sound has a greater effect than high frequency sound on objects in its path.
  • Another participant suggests that an object will not only feel force at its resonant frequency, but that resonance allows for maximum energy absorption from the sound source.
  • A participant mentions that amplitude affects the force experienced by an object, indicating that waves of different amplitudes at the same frequency can produce varying effects.
  • There is a discussion about the interaction of waves, noting that two waves in phase can result in a higher amplitude.
  • A participant shares a personal anecdote about feeling the force of sound waves from fireworks and references Enrico Fermi's experiment with sound waves during the Trinity test, illustrating practical examples of sound force effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the relationship between sound frequency, amplitude, and the physical effects on objects. There is no consensus on the primary factors influencing whether an object feels force from sound waves, indicating multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions involve assumptions about the nature of sound waves and their interactions with materials, which may not be fully explored or defined. The implications of resonance and amplitude are also noted but not resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying acoustics, physics, engineering, or anyone curious about the effects of sound on physical objects.

u0362565
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I am interested to know what governs whether an object in the path of a sound wave will feel force. For instance will low frequency sound have more of an effect than high frequency? What difference does the material or shape of the object have on whether it would feel any force from the movement of the air. Would an object only feel force if the frequency matches the resonant frequency of the material?

Thanks for the help
 
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u0362565 said:
Would an object only feel force if the frequency matches the resonant frequency of the material?

No. However at resonance the object will usually absorb the most energy from the source.
 
u0362565 said:
I am interested to know what governs whether an object in the path of a sound wave will feel force. For instance will low frequency sound have more of an effect than high frequency? What difference does the material or shape of the object have on whether it would feel any force from the movement of the air. Would an object only feel force if the frequency matches the resonant frequency of the material?

Thanks for the help
Amplitude has some sort of effect, you could fit any wave with different amplitude at any given frequency
Standing-wave05.png


but, it would be a different issue when waves of the same frequency is out of phase 1800

phases_wave5.png

Now which do you think would effect vibrations?
 
u0362565 said:
I am interested to know what governs whether an object in the path of a sound wave will feel force. For instance will low frequency sound have more of an effect than high frequency? What difference does the material or shape of the object have on whether it would feel any force from the movement of the air. Would an object only feel force if the frequency matches the resonant frequency of the material?

Thanks for the help
Also, sum of 2 waves in the same phase would result higher amplitude
dblslit1.gif
 
I am fond of a more everyday example. When you are close enough to a fireworks display, you can feel the explosions thump against your chest.

Enrico Fermi famously dropped a bit of paper when he saw the flash of the Trinity test of the atomic bomb. As the shock wave of sound passed, the falling paper was blown away from the explosion. Then he measured the horizontal displacement of the paper where it hit the ground and he used that to estimate (fairly accurately) the yield of the explosion. Even though Fermi was a physicist, he is my all time favorite engineer.
 

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