In this post we learn that sound transfers a lot more energy than heat across the medium, so why don't we burn ourselves when we speak by generating sound? Does sound reflect more easily than heat?
Asked
Active
Viewed 117 times
-3
-
How much energy is involved in speaking, and how hot would it get, say, your tongue? Why would evolution come to a solution that involved burning of the entity? – Jon Custer Feb 17 '21 at 16:09
-
@JonCuster I'm asking about the physics of it. I don't appreciate what looks to be a deliberate misunderstanding of a simple question. – yolo Feb 17 '21 at 16:43
1 Answers
2
It is similar to the reason we don't burn ourselves by compressing a spring. The compressed spring stores potential energy. If you stop pushing, the spring will push you away and you get it (almost) all back.
If the spring rubbed a wall as it compressed and expanded, there would be friction. Some energy would be lost as heat. You would not get it all back.
Sound is a pressure wave. Air compresses like a spring.
mmesser314
- 38,487
- 5
- 49
- 129