How Does a Bell Make Sound?
As the clapper of the bell strikes its sides, it causes them to vibrate, setting up a disturbance in the equilibrium of the air surrounding the bell. This disturbance travels through the air in a wave form that humans know as sound.
Sound travels as a longitudinal wave. Sound energy moves by vibrating molecules. When a bell flexes away, it pulls in on the surrounding particles, creating a drop in pressure to pull more particles. Each molecule passes the vibration to the next between the bell and the hearer’s ear. However, if it were to be rung in space, where there is no air, the ringing bell would have no particles to move and thus would make no sound.
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