Why is my Sondhauss tube not producing any sound?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the challenges of producing sound with a Sondhauss tube, specifically a 17-cm long Pyrex test tube using steel wool as a stack. The user reports no sound production despite following similar methods demonstrated online. Historical attempts with a 30mm bore steel tube and wire gauze also yielded minimal success, highlighting the importance of the plug's position within the tube for sound generation. Key factors influencing performance include the type of material used for the plug and the tube's length.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of acoustic principles related to sound production.
  • Familiarity with materials like steel wool and wire gauze in sound experiments.
  • Knowledge of thermal dynamics and heat application methods.
  • Experience with experimental setups involving tubes and plugs.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the acoustic properties of different materials used in Sondhauss tubes.
  • Explore the impact of plug positioning on sound production in acoustic tubes.
  • Investigate alternative designs for Sondhauss tubes, including variations in length and diameter.
  • Learn about the principles of sound wave generation and resonance in closed systems.
USEFUL FOR

Physics enthusiasts, educators conducting sound experiments, and hobbyists interested in acoustic devices will benefit from this discussion.

cyberdiver
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I've been trying to make a Sondhauss tube lately. My setup is a 17-cm long Pyrex test tube with a small piece of steel wool as the stack. I've been holding the closed end over a gas stove on full heat with a pipe wrench, but absolutely no sound is produced. What I am doing seems to be no different from other demonstrations online, so why is this so?
 
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That question takes me back. I remember trying this nearly twenty years ago, using a steel tube (probably 30mm bore) with a wire gauze plug inside it. It was never very successful but it sometimes produced a short lived groaning noise, I seem to remember. I used gauze and not steel wool ( I thought that was supposed to be important) and the tube was about a half metre long - or more. I did find that the actual position of the plug in the tube was very relevant to performance (what there was of it).
 

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