why does helium change the pitch of your voice?

Question

specific answers no smartasses please

Answer 1

Helium is an inert gas that is lighter than air and can be inhaled briefly without risk of death. Sound is produced by vibration, the movement of air around our vocal chords. Because helium gas is lighter than the usual oxygen/nitrogen blend, it changes the resonant frequency of the human vocal tract, causing a faster vibration and a higher-pitched, cartoon-character sound.

Answer 2

Helium is less dense than air (nitrogen and oxygen). Vocals are effected by air passing through the vocal chords. The difference in densities of the gas moving through the vocal chords results in a different pitch.

Answer 3

Helium causes a constriction in the vocal cords, therefore changing the pitch of your voice.

Answer 4

It tightens your vocal chords, causing the vibration to be quicker with less movement, this causes a higher note, think of it like when you tighten a guitar string, the note has a higher pitch for the same reason, faster but smaller movement.

Answer 5

because air has a different mass than helium. it does take as much effort for helium to pass through your vocal cords, therefore higher pitch.

Answer 6

cause it is less dense than air and allows your vocal cords to vibrate at a higher pitch

Answer 7

It alters the Percentage of Oxygen in your Lungs and therefore make You make that funny squeaky noise!

Answer 8

I wouldn't try this if I were you, I heard it could be dangerous :/....even though its really funny to do

Answer 9

http://www.physlink.com/education/askexperts/ae36.cfm