Why Doesn't Hand Swaying Produce Sound?

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In summary, hand swaying can produce sound, but it is often too low in frequency and amplitude for humans to hear. However, scratching is within the range of human hearing and can produce an audible sound. If the hand movement is sudden and fast enough, a dull "Thump" can be detected, but it is still very low in frequency. It is possible to hear a doppler shift if a pure sine wave is generated and the head is jerked towards or away from the speaker very forcefully.
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batballbat
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Why doesen't hand swaying produce sound and why does my slight scratching my skin produce an audible sound?
 
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  • #2
It does, it's just too low frequency/amplitude for you to hear it. Scratching is within the range of human hearing.
 
  • #3
It can, if you move your hand suddenly, and fast enough towards your ear, you can detect a dull "Thump", but it's so low in frequency that it's more of a gust of wind. In passing, you can actually hear a doppler shift if you generate a pure sine wave from a speaker and jerk your head towards it very hard...or away from it.
 

Related to Why Doesn't Hand Swaying Produce Sound?

1. Why doesn't hand swaying produce sound?

Hand swaying does not produce sound because it does not create any vibrations in the air. Sound is produced when an object vibrates, creating waves in the air that our ears perceive as sound. When we sway our hands, we are not creating enough force or movement to cause any vibrations that would produce sound.

2. Can sound be produced by any type of hand movement?

No, sound cannot be produced by any type of hand movement. In order for sound to be produced, there needs to be enough force and movement to create vibrations in the air. Simple hand swaying does not create enough force or movement to produce audible sound.

3. What about clapping or snapping fingers? Don't those produce sound?

Yes, clapping and snapping fingers do produce sound because they involve a quick and forceful movement of the hands, creating vibrations in the air. These vibrations travel to our ears and are perceived as sound.

4. Is it possible to create sound by swaying other body parts?

Yes, it is possible to create sound by swaying other body parts, but it would depend on the force and movement involved. For example, if you vigorously shake your head, it may produce a sound as your hair moves and creates vibrations in the air. However, gentle swaying of any body part is unlikely to produce any audible sound.

5. Are there any other factors that can affect the production of sound?

Yes, there are many factors that can affect the production of sound. In addition to force and movement, the shape and material of the object can also impact its ability to create sound. For example, a flat object may not produce as much sound as a hollow or curved object. The surrounding environment, such as air pressure and temperature, can also affect the production and propagation of sound waves.

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