Description
The ‘Travel In Vacuum’ exhibit demonstrates how sound behaves in a vacuum. Sound travels through the air (or through another medium) by vibrating particles. In a vacuum, there are almost no particles present, so sound vibrations cannot propagate, and thus sound cannot travel. This clarifies why there is no sound in space, which is a vacuum.
Research into how sound propagates helps companies develop products. For example, how do you ensure you don’t get bothered by the chatter of other children in a busy classroom? You might use a sound-absorbing wall or a noise-canceling headphone. To develop such products, you first need to understand how sound works.
How does sound behave in a vacuum?
- Press the left button to turn on the bell.
- Hold down the right button until there is no more air in the bell jar. There is now a vacuum in the bell jar.
- Press the left button again. What do you hear now?
