Have you ever wondered what makes sound quieter? The answer lies in the size of the object – a golf ball, for example, has a very small radius. This is a clever trick of the human brain, resulting in the perception that the sound is smaller than it actually is. Colder temperatures also affect sound differently. This article will examine two different types of material that can make sound quieter: Snow and QWR.
QWR
What’s QWR, and how does it make noise quieter? This process recombines waves and creates a quieter sound when they hit an object. QWR reduces noise produced by engines and fans by separating the sound from the fumes. The exhaust pipe of a car or truck carries noise and fumes away from the engine. A QWR is a side branch off the main exhaust that traps and reflects sound waves. These reflected waves meet the original sound wave, and the result is a quieter sound.
Snow
While there are many types of snow, light, fluffy snow is particularly effective at making the atmosphere quieter. Snow’s porous texture helps trap sound, which bounces back out. The more snow there is, the quieter the environment will be. Just two inches of snow can absorb about 60 percent of the sound around you. But the snow should be removed before freezing because then it will become icy, reflecting sound waves. In this case, the snow makes sound quieter than usual.
The reason that snow absorbs sound is its porous structure. Each snow flakes is six-sided crystals, and these spaces absorb sound waves. When these crystals are spread out over an area, snow creates a cushion that absorbs sound. A dusting of snow won’t do much to quieten the world, but a few inches will do the trick. That’s because snowflakes are so small that they barely produce any sound when they hit the ground.
Snow reflects sound waves
Did you know that snow reflects sound waves? This magical substance has many unique characteristics that affect how sound waves travel through the air. One of the most obvious characteristics is its porous structure, which allows sound waves to travel through it with much less volume and reverberation. However, snow can change over time and can be reshaped by wind and time. It can also be refreezed, which turns it into a hard and smooth surface that reflects sound waves. When the snow is refreezed, the sound waves may seem clearer or travel farther.
The same principle applies to the opposite effect: if the snow is partially or completely melted, the sound will be amplified. However, snow that is still intact has the opposite effect, because sound waves bounce off harder surfaces. When sound waves bounce off ice, they will go farther and will be easier to hear. It also creates a meditative environment, because snow can provide a sense of silence. But it’s not just snow that reflects sound waves.
Snow traps sound waves
As a result of its porous structure, snow is effective at absorbing higher frequencies of sound. When snow accumulates on a tree branch, fluffy precipitation weighs it down, blocking out movement. When it melts, snowflakes form air pockets that trap sound waves. Because snow is porous, it is also very effective at insulating against noise. Snow’s ability to dampen sound waves makes it an excellent noise-absorbing material for use in recording studios.
Even a few inches of fresh snow is 60 percent absorbing, and this quality makes it a fantastic insulator. Snow also has an abundance of air spaces between snowflakes, which prevents sound waves from bouncing off of each other. The result is less ambient noise and a quieter environment. However, fresh snow can contain pollutants and other contaminants from city life. To understand how snow absorbs sound, you should take note of the temperature and humidity in your area.
QWR reflects sound waves
A common example of QWR in action is a fan or engine. The exhaust pipe carries fumes away from the engine and releases them into the air. Adding a QWR to the exhaust pipe helps to reduce the noise it makes. Sound waves travel down the exhaust pipe, meet with the reflected wave, and recombine as a sound wave. This process is called destructive interference.
