answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Generally, no sound is heard when a "simple pendulum" oscillates because of what is happening. It's just moving through the air. In a clock the sound of the "ticking" is the sound of the escapement operating. The pendulum itself makes only "air noise" as it moves back and forth. The pendulum is so small and moves in such a limited way that even if the mechanism was not encased or otherwise screened, it is imporbable that it could be heard moving through the air. In the case of a Foucault pendulum, particularly one of the big ones found in a museum or other display, the weight (called a "bob") on the end of (usually) a cable is massive (to increase the effect of the display - plus, it makes it more "fun" to see a huge weight in motion), and it can be heard moving through the air by a determined listener (if conditions are favorable). Use the link to the article on the Foucault pendulum posted by our friends at Wikipedia.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

this is because humans have a specific range of hearing that is 2ohz to 20000hz, sound having a lower frequency than 20hz is not audible. The frequency of the vibration of the wings of a bee is much higher than the oscillations of a pendulum that's why we r not able to hear the sound of a pendulum.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

Answer:

A sound wave is a travelling pressure fluctuation that propagates through any

medium that is elastic enough to allow molecules to gather together and move

apart. The energy of a sound wave depends on the force that is creating it. The

greater the energy in the sound wave, the bigger the RMS (root-mean-squared)

pressure fluctuation in the medium through which the sound is being conducted.

Generally speaking, sounds are perceived as being louder as the RMS sound

pressure level increases.

However, the perception of sound in any living organism is limited to a certain

range of frequencies. Sound that is perceptible by humans has frequencies from

about 20 Hz to 20 kHz, as long as the sound pressure level is high enough to allow

the ear to detect it.

For a relatively small angle of swing, the plot of a pendulum's displacement (extent

of travel from point of equilibrium) with respect to time will produce a sinusoidal

curve, representing a simple harmonic motion. Pure tones are experienced when

the eardrum moves in simple harmonic motion. In the case of the longitudinally

oscillating waves of pressure travelling through air (as from a rigid, vibrating or

oscillating source), their audibility is dependent on their frequency and on the

sound pressure being generated.

The absolute threshold of hearing (ATH) is the minimum sound level of a pure tone

that an average ear with normal hearing can detect with no other sound present.

The threshold of hearing is generally reported as an RMS sound pressure of 20 µPa

(micropascals) = 2×10-5 pascal (Pa). It is approximately the quietest sound that a

young human with undamaged hearing can detect at 1,000 Hz.

As implied above, the threshold of hearing is also frequency dependent and it has

been shown that the ear's sensitivity is best at frequencies between 1 kHz and 5

kHz. A sound with frequency less than 20 Hz falls outside of the normal range of

audibility.

The shorter the pendulum, the higher is its frequency of swing. However, even if it

is quite short, a simple pendulum only swings at a very low frequency. A pendulum of length 1 m swings at 0.5 Hz; one as short as 5 mm still only swings at 7 Hz. (At this rate the amount of energy dissipated in the air pressure oscillations would also

be very small.)

That is why the air waves due to the motion of the pendulum are not audible.

===============================

Cliff's Notes Version:

Because a typical human can't hear sound waves at frequencies below roughly 20 Hz,

and no pendulum ever swings as fast as 20 times per second.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

It produces a sound but we are not able to hear it.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

A vibrating simple pendulum does not produce any sound because it oscillates at very low frequencies.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why do you hear sound produced by the humming bees while the sound of vibrations of pendulum is not heard?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Physics

Why A vibrating body produces sound but we cannot hear the sound of vibrating pendulum?

Human ears can only hear (i.e., detect vibrations) in a range of about 20-20,000 vibrations per second. A pendulum will usually vibrate at much less than 20 vibrations per second. But please note that a vibrating object (such as a plucked string) may also produce secondary vibrations, other than the main frequency.On the other hand, a vibration must also be strong enough, in order to be heard.


Will a vibrating source always produce sound?

Sound is sensed only when vibrations produced by a source is transferred to the ear drum by means of a material medium. If such a medium is absent then sound cannot be heard. But vibrations of the source are always there.


What are a series of vibrations that can be heard called?

Sound


How fast does something have to vibrate to produce sound?

The human ear can sounds between about 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. Anything that produces this kind of vibration will be heard. Note that this may include secondary vibrations; for example, if a string has its main vibration at 15 Hz (vibrations per second), then it will also have secondary vibrations at 30 Hz. 45 Hz., etc.The human ear can sounds between about 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. Anything that produces this kind of vibration will be heard. Note that this may include secondary vibrations; for example, if a string has its main vibration at 15 Hz (vibrations per second), then it will also have secondary vibrations at 30 Hz. 45 Hz., etc.The human ear can sounds between about 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. Anything that produces this kind of vibration will be heard. Note that this may include secondary vibrations; for example, if a string has its main vibration at 15 Hz (vibrations per second), then it will also have secondary vibrations at 30 Hz. 45 Hz., etc.The human ear can sounds between about 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. Anything that produces this kind of vibration will be heard. Note that this may include secondary vibrations; for example, if a string has its main vibration at 15 Hz (vibrations per second), then it will also have secondary vibrations at 30 Hz. 45 Hz., etc.


What are subsonic signals?

Subsonic signals are sounds or vibrations that have a frequency lower than that which may be heard by the human ear as a discernable tone. Vibrations lower than 30 Hz (30 cycles per second) are considered subsonic.

Related questions

Why A vibrating body produces sound but we cannot hear the sound of vibrating pendulum?

Human ears can only hear (i.e., detect vibrations) in a range of about 20-20,000 vibrations per second. A pendulum will usually vibrate at much less than 20 vibrations per second. But please note that a vibrating object (such as a plucked string) may also produce secondary vibrations, other than the main frequency.On the other hand, a vibration must also be strong enough, in order to be heard.


Will a vibrating source always produce sound?

Sound is sensed only when vibrations produced by a source is transferred to the ear drum by means of a material medium. If such a medium is absent then sound cannot be heard. But vibrations of the source are always there.


What are a series of vibrations that can be heard called?

Sound


How are sounds heard?

When vibrations from someone or something occur the ear captures the vibrations if it is close enough.


Do tiny vibrations carry sound through the air?

Vibrations through some medium ARE sound. Vibrations through the air are just one example. The air vibrates and when the vibrations hit human ear drums, they are heard.


How do you tell if a front wheel bearing is worn?

a humming sound usually heard on cornering, if heard when going left, its the right bearing and vice versa


What is a good sentence for the word pendulum?

I have a pendulum clock or my dog's tail swung like a pendulum when he heard the jingle of his lead. Dictionary definition for pendulum- A weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely backward and forward, esp. a rod with a weight at the end that regulates the mechanism of a clock.


What are two ways that animals sense vibrations?

Vibrations are sound which may be heard though an animal's ears. Vibrations may also be felt through the sense of touch. Heat is also a vibration and this can be sensed by heat sensors.


How fast does something have to vibrate to produce sound?

The human ear can sounds between about 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. Anything that produces this kind of vibration will be heard. Note that this may include secondary vibrations; for example, if a string has its main vibration at 15 Hz (vibrations per second), then it will also have secondary vibrations at 30 Hz. 45 Hz., etc.The human ear can sounds between about 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. Anything that produces this kind of vibration will be heard. Note that this may include secondary vibrations; for example, if a string has its main vibration at 15 Hz (vibrations per second), then it will also have secondary vibrations at 30 Hz. 45 Hz., etc.The human ear can sounds between about 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. Anything that produces this kind of vibration will be heard. Note that this may include secondary vibrations; for example, if a string has its main vibration at 15 Hz (vibrations per second), then it will also have secondary vibrations at 30 Hz. 45 Hz., etc.The human ear can sounds between about 20 and 20,000 vibrations per second. Anything that produces this kind of vibration will be heard. Note that this may include secondary vibrations; for example, if a string has its main vibration at 15 Hz (vibrations per second), then it will also have secondary vibrations at 30 Hz. 45 Hz., etc.


What is a slang word for humming bird penis?

I've never heard of one. Usually, slang is created to refer to something people talk about a lot -- not many people are interested in humming bird sex!


How did Lady Termaine realized that girl is Cinderella?

She heard Cinderella humming a waltz played at the ball the previous night.


What is the high pitched humming sound often heard in an otherwise empty and silent room?

its just your brain increasing its sensitivity to noises. it could almost be considered a noise floor, or possibly the blood vessels in your ear. as red blood cells pass through the capillaries, they bump the walls a bit, causing minuscule vibrations to the eardrum.