Book 14, Question 44
Why Do Longer Wind-Chime Tubes Ring Lower?
Longer wind-chime tubes ring lower because each wiggle takes more time! A longer tube vibrates more slowly. A shorter tube wiggles faster and rings higher.
More fun facts
- Long tubes make lower notes, and short tubes make higher notes.
- The longer the column of air in a tube, the more slowly it vibrates.
- Sound takes longer to travel up and down a long tube.
- Instruments with long tubes, like the bass saxophone, play low notes.
- You can make musical pipes by cutting tubes to different lengths.
Sources: Exploratorium, Exploratorium, Exploratorium
Questions kids ask
Why does a long tube sound lower?
Its longer column of air vibrates more slowly.