A sound wave moving through the air causes particles in the air to move. If air particles are moving, why doesn't this motion create a breeze?

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Physics

3 September, 12:06

A sound wave moving through the air causes particles in the air to move. If air particles are moving, why doesn't this motion create a breeze?

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Answers (1)

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Skipper · Answer 1

The motion of air particle caused by sound wave is vibrational and cannot create breeze because breeze involves translational motion (permanent displacement) of the air particles.

Explanation:

This sound wave results from the back and forth vibration of the particles of air through which the sound wave is moving. The sound wave causes disturbance within the particles of air by transfering energy from one particle to the adjacent particles of air without causing permanent displacement of the particles of air. The motion between these particles of air caused by sound wave is vibrational, while breeze involves displacement of particles of air through translational motion. Hence, breeze is a moving mass of air.

Thus, the motion of air particle caused by sound wave is vibrational and cannot create breeze because breeze involves translational motion (permanent displacement) of the air particles.