Mythbusters fun with gas redux

Vocal chord vibration frequency inversely dependent on gas density. Gas density itself does not change the sound frequency.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• fun
• gas
• Mythbusters
• with

[lucke0204]

You have fallen into the group of common people who misconceive why. There is no change in the vocal chords. It is the speed of sound that increases and decreases in lighter/ heavier air that creates the semblance of a changing pitch, while the pitch remains unchanged. Just like good old Jamie said.

[truelyfine]

@lucke0204 Gas is a transmissive medium, which means the speed of sound in the gas varies by the type, but a sound passing from one gas to another does not change in frequency (think light going from air through glass and into water - the color/frequency does not change, only the local speed). Because of this it must be the frequency at the source that changes. Helium causes the vocal cords to vibrate faster because the resonant frequency of the mouth/throat/larynx goes up.

[Brazard23]

Was there really a point to this?

[truelyfine]

What? You've never had a theoretical bullshit session with friends where you delve into the intricacies of some narrow issue for the fun of discussion?

Besides, what's the point to Myth Busters, beyond those huge 'boy did that blow up good' smiles I see on their faces?

[cptnunderwhere]

Yes, you are basically correct, but you should clarify what you mean as medium, mixture, and "heavier". The most correct way to state it I believe would be that the higher the atomic/molecular weight of the gas, the higher its viscosity, and the more resistance it would offer against the motion of the vibrating vocal folds. All this, while being more or less independent of molar concentration, temp and pressure (not including the gradient from infra- and supra- glottal pressures).

[truelyfine]

@cptnunderwhere Wikipedia lists viscosity of helium as slightly higher than air. So that leaves us back at gas velocity as the cause for pitch change. The higher velocities for lighter molecules (higher speed of sound) must translate into faster oscillation of standing waves behind the vocal cords (elastic storage of energy in compressed gas and stretching vocal cords. The vocal cords alternately restrict the air flow and let it pass each time they vibrate closed and open.

[DODODOK]

JUST INHALE SOME AND MAKE US LAUGH.

Haha just kidding. Nice explanation.

[tiptep]

You're right,it does change the frequency of your vocal cords... thus changing the pitch.

duh...

[5335RR]

SMART ASSSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shadylady9116]

shut up ur dumb nobody cares

[shyguy8975]

shut !mythbusters is the most awsome show ever. no need to ruin it. and really? "see you all later. chow' really dude?

[instrodude94]

how much does SF6 cost

[Broodsnijplank]

I was thinking about that as well, because, if mythbusters had it right, when it came out of his mouth, the sound would move through normal air again, and we'd here it as his normal voice

[Wolfgamer94]

huh ?!?!?!?!?!?!