Sound can travel even in a vacuum. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Sound can travel even in a vacuum

14.08.2023

Finnish physicists have discovered that, under certain conditions, sound is able to travel through a perfect vacuum, contrary to the traditional understanding that sound requires a medium to propagate.

Sound propagation usually requires a material medium through which vibrations can be transmitted. On Earth, it could be air or water. Sound arises from vibrations that set atoms and molecules in motion within a medium. These vibrations are transmitted from one particle to another and are interpreted by the human ear as sound.

An ideal vacuum implies the absence of any material environment. In theory, under such conditions, sound should not propagate. However, scientists from Finland have discovered that the so-called "vacuum" can still contain electric fields that can cause vibrations in piezoelectric crystals. This may be a key factor in the study of sound transmission in empty space.

Piezoelectric materials are capable of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. Applying mechanical pressure to a crystal creates an electric field, and applying an electric field to a crystal causes it to deform.

Research has shown that sonic vibrations can cause mechanical stress in piezoelectric crystals. Using zinc oxide as a piezoelectric crystal, physicists have found that this crystal is capable of converting mechanical stress into an electric field under certain conditions.

By placing two such crystals next to each other, one of them can convert electrical energy back into mechanical energy, allowing sound waves to travel through a vacuum. This effect is most effective at certain frequencies and distances between crystals, allowing ultrasonic waves to "tunnel" through a vacuum.

This discovery could have important implications for quantum computer science and other areas of physics. It is important to note that although in most cases the transmission of sound waves through a vacuum is weak, there are situations where this occurs with high efficiency and without reflections.

<< Back: 3D printed squid rings 14.08.2023

>> Forward: Long work at the computer is harmful to health 13.08.2023

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Major risk factor for gambling addiction 07.05.2024

Computer games are becoming an increasingly popular form of entertainment among teenagers, but the associated risk of gaming addiction remains a significant problem. American scientists conducted a study to determine the main factors contributing to this addiction and offer recommendations for its prevention. Over the course of six years, 385 teenagers were followed to find out what factors may predispose them to gambling addiction. The results showed that 90% of study participants were not at risk of addiction, while 10% became gambling addicts. It turned out that the key factor in the onset of gambling addiction is a low level of prosocial behavior. Teenagers with a low level of prosocial behavior do not show interest in the help and support of others, which can lead to a loss of contact with the real world and a deepening dependence on virtual reality offered by computer games. Based on these results, scientists ... >>

Traffic noise delays the growth of chicks 06.05.2024

The sounds that surround us in modern cities are becoming increasingly piercing. However, few people think about how this noise affects the animal world, especially such delicate creatures as chicks that have not yet hatched from their eggs. Recent research is shedding light on this issue, indicating serious consequences for their development and survival. Scientists have found that exposure of zebra diamondback chicks to traffic noise can cause serious disruption to their development. Experiments have shown that noise pollution can significantly delay their hatching, and those chicks that do emerge face a number of health-promoting problems. The researchers also found that the negative effects of noise pollution extend into the adult birds. Reduced chances of reproduction and decreased fertility indicate the long-term effects that traffic noise has on wildlife. The study results highlight the need ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Cost of Stradivarius violins 30.03.2012

Of the approximately 1644 violins made by the eminent Italian luthier Stradivari (1737-650), XNUMX are known worldwide, and each is worth millions.

One of them, stored in the US Library of Congress, was recently copied. First, more than a thousand of its transverse and longitudinal "sections" were obtained on an X-ray computed tomograph. This data was then sent to a digitally controlled woodworking machine, which cut out exact copies of the violin parts from different types of wood. They are hand assembled, glued and varnished. Everything is reproduced, including traces of woodworm activity. True, nothing is reported about the sound quality.

The authors of the work intend to establish the production of inexpensive "stradivari".

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews