Can all Earth sounds be heard if amplified enough?

In summary, the conversation explores the topic of sound waves and their audibility. The question is raised whether there is a limit to sounds being in the audible range and whether all Earth sounds can be heard if amplified enough. The conversation also touches on the concept of sound reinforcement and the potential consequences of amplifying sound too much. A website is mentioned as a potential source for further reading on the topic.
  • #1
ValenceE
142
0
Hello to all,

I've been wondering about sound waves for a while, and here's one question that came up...

Is there a natural limit to sounds being in the audible range... I mean, if we amplify the sounds (edit: the air pressure differences , since I'm not sure they would fall in the sound category) made by a fly 'walking' on some surface, will it be audible ?

Are all Earth sounds audible if amplified enough ?

I know this is a bit crude but I'm sure you get the point ...


Regards,

VE
 
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  • #2
There is a range of frequencies that we hear, too high of a frequency, and we don't hear it. Dogs hear higher frequencies than us, elephants can hear lower frequencies than us. Kind of just like light, we can't see UV or radio.
 
  • #3
TR... I'm aware of that but my question still stands, could we hear the fly movin about ?

I'm not wording this question in a proper way, but, I guess what I mean to ask is; if any pressure differential is in the audible frequency range, provided we amplify it enough, we should be able to hear it shouldn't we ?...


VE
 
  • #4
ValenceE said:
TR... I'm aware of that but my question still stands, could we hear the fly movin about ?

I'm not wording this question in a proper way, but, I guess what I mean to ask is; if any pressure differential is in the audible frequency range, provided we amplify it enough, we should be able to hear it shouldn't we ?...


VE

Yes. If the frequencies are in the auditory range of the human ear. That's why sound reinforcement is necessary in certain applications, aside from some relatively small amphitheaters that are designed acoustically to disperse sound from the stage to the audience. If I'm on the far side of a 100,000-person capacity stadium, there's no way I could hear someone speaking at normal conversation level or playing an acoustic instrument on a stage without sound reinforcement. Sound reinforcement makes this possible.

If you amplify the sound too much, you could quite possibly never hear anything again!
 
  • #5
As long as air molecules start to move and hits your eardrum there should exist a possibility of you hearing the fly, but in reality that faint noise will disappear in the 'sea' of other moving molecules hitting your ears.

This one could be cool to read.
www . tomdukich . com/weather%20songs%20narrative.html
 

FAQ: Can all Earth sounds be heard if amplified enough?

What are sound waves?

Sound waves are a type of mechanical wave that propagates through a medium, such as air or water. They are caused by vibrations and travel in all directions from their source.

How do sound waves travel?

Sound waves travel by compressing and expanding the particles of the medium they are traveling through. This creates a series of high and low pressure regions, which are perceived as sound by our ears.

What is the speed of sound?

The speed of sound depends on the medium it is traveling through, but in general, it travels at around 343 meters per second in dry air at room temperature. It travels faster in denser mediums, such as water or solids.

What is the relationship between frequency and pitch in sound waves?

Frequency refers to the number of vibrations per second in a sound wave, and pitch is how high or low a sound is perceived. Higher frequency sound waves have a higher pitch, while lower frequency sound waves have a lower pitch.

How do sound waves interact with objects?

Sound waves can either be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted when they meet an object. The type of interaction depends on the material of the object and the wavelength of the sound wave.

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