Book 14, Question 71
Why Does a Spoon Hung on a String Sound Like a Big Bell?
A spoon on a string sounds like a big bell because the string carries the sound straight to your head! Solid things pass vibrations along better than air does. So you hear deeper, richer, bell-like tones.
More fun facts
- Air is not the only carrier of sound waves, and it is not the best one.
- A string and your fingers carry sound much better than air.
- A spoon or hanger hung on strings pressed to your ears can sound like a bell or gong.
- A counter carries tapping sounds better than air does.
- That is also why can and string phones work surprisingly well over longer distances.
Sources: Exploratorium, Scientific American
Questions kids ask
Why does the spoon sound so much louder?
The strings carry its vibrations straight to your ears better than air can.