Science question - noise & fog

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Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
As you describe. The fog allows the soundwaves to carry better as the water droplets are denser than dry air. However, they distort your directional sense of hearing, so sound appears louder, but you cannot pinpoint the source. It works even better underwater, where sound is transmitted direct to your ear (or the bubble of air in your outer ear) but you cannot determine direction
 
As you describe. The fog allows the soundwaves to carry better as the water droplets are denser than dry air. However, they distort your directional sense of hearing, so sound appears louder, but you cannot pinpoint the source. It works even better underwater, where sound is transmitted direct to your ear (or the bubble of air in your outer ear) but you cannot determine direction

Breaking wind in the bath is a good demonstration of this one!
 
I alwys remebre manyyears ago that I was taught that when driving in thick fog you should open the windows to enhance your hearing and get additional warning of other vehicles
 

Andy_R

Hard of hearing..I said Herd of Herring..oh FFS..
Location
County Durham
So, if a goose cuts a tree down underwater and you're wearing earplugs will it still make a sound?
depends on how loud the chainsaw is
 

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
I alwys remebre manyyears ago that I was taught that when driving in thick fog you should open the windows to enhance your hearing and get additional warning of other vehicles

When my Mum was young, back in the 50s-ish, she and a friend were driving back from Norfolk to Leicester, in a thick Fenland fog, at night. In those days, the A47 crossed the A1 at a simple crossroads, and the fog was so thick that while her friend drove, my Mum had to get out and listen for traffic on the A1 before they drive across!

Of course, the A1 wasn't quite so busy in those days, but even so.... :ohmy:
 

Stephenite

Membå
Location
OslO
If you were in the bath by yourself you would have a pretty good idea where the sound came from and this would render the demonstration useless.

It would work better with several people in the bath. One farts and the others would have to try to pinpoint the source!
 
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