Generation of Sound due to Motion of an Object over the Surface

Rakesh Chavan September 2, 2012

Abstract The objective of this article is to understand the process of generation of sound when an object moves over a surface. We will also look at some of the forces encountered during motion.

The objects are placed in air for the experiment. Other environments are not discussed in this article. The main forces inuencing the motion of the object are as follows: The external force applied on the object. Frictional force acting between the object and the surface. Some forces are not considered here for the simplicity of discussion. The reduction of velocity because of air drag is not considered. Friction will oppose the applied force and the motion of the object. Inertia also opposes motion but it is more linked to the tendency of not changing the state of an object rather than opposing motion. Pulling or pushing an object over a solid surface leads to some kind of sound. At the atomic level, the atoms in the object are transferring energy to the atoms of the surface. This will cause the atoms to vibrate faster. The number of collision will increase in between the atoms as compared to the relaxed state. This will lead to more energy being dissipated. It can be in the form of heat. Some other forms of energy may also be seen. The interaction between atoms in air, and those surrounding the object and the surface, needs to be considered. Energy will be transferred between them. All this is equivalent to stating that energy is conserved. For visualization, we can consider the atoms in air as spherical layers surrounding the object. Multiple such spherical layers can be imagined to form a structure similar to the multiple electron rings in an atom. We can move the object so that it collides only with the rst layer. This impact 1

will cause a disturbance in the structure. Energy will is transferred to the air particles in the rst layer. As they vibrate, they will transfer energy to the next layer and the process will continue outwards. If the collisions were perfectly elastic, this process would continue from one layer to another without decreasing in intensity. Looking at things on a macro level, the disturbances will take form of ripples. They can be considered as rarefactions and compressions producing sound. In conclusion, we have seen how the particles of the object, surface, and air transfer energy. This leads to the formation of dierent densities of air particles. This leads to the generation of sound when you move an object over a surface.