If you hit a tuning fork against a metal in space, will it make a sound?

Question

My dad and I have a $100 bet. He says that there would be a sound no matter what...I say that there won't be any sound because sound travels in compressional waves of air and since theres no air in space thers no sound...I just wanted some backup on this...

Answer 1

I believe that the sound can be heard by the naked ear if you didn't have a helmet on. Just stick your ear to the metal you hit the tuning fork against. lol Sound waves travel pretty much the same as light waves travel. It may be infrasound but the sound is still there. Pay your Dad the $100

Answer 2

When, on earth, you sound a tuning fork, it is very low in volume until the end is placed on a resonator like a wood or metal surface.
In space there would be no sound audible but if the end were placed against your space helmet, you would hear the sound - because sound is waves in a substance, not just air (get in a swimming pool or submarine and you will hear sounds)
So in space is there no sound and on earth in air some sound and touching a resonator a lot of sound - is the fork production changing because of the externals? I say no.
If you are in outer space without a helmet, you are going to be a lot more concerned with the blood coming out of your ears than the sound going in.

Answer 3

You are absolutely right, the sound is longitudinal wave of compression and rarefaction of air or the medium in which it travels.

In this case, there will be sound within the tuning fork, because of the compressions etc but since there is no air, it can not be heard. Yes, if you touch the tuning fork to the space helmet, you can hear it.

However, since the common meaning of sound is hearing of sound in air, you win the bet.

Congratulations.

Answer 4

You would only hear a sound if you pressed your ear against the tuning fork or the piece of metal since waves will still propagate through the material. Otherwise, sound waves need to propagate through some kind of medium (air, water, etc.) in order for you to hear. Since space is essentially a vacuum, you would hear nothing.

Answer 5

You have got your 100 lock, stock, the lot. Sound cannot travel in a vacuum as it works in compressional and longitudinal waves. I believe Nasa did this experiment on the moon to try and see if it hold true. For sound to work it needs matter for it to vibrate same principle your ear works on.

Answer 6

If you touched the tuning fork to your space helmet, there would be a sound. If not, there would just be a vibration. If you were holding it in your hand, you might hear it through your space suit. If it was just floating in a vacuum, there would be no sound; just a vibration. This vibration could be detected by other means, but not with your ears.

Answer 7

No, sound cannot propagate in a vacuum, however if you hold your space helmet against the metal, the sound vibrations will be heard through the material of the helmet and air inside.

Answer 8

Sound is how we perceive vibrations in the air, water, ground, etc. If there aren't enough vibrations to move our ear hair (little ones, not the kind that grow out of old people's ears) then a human won't be able to hear a sound.

Answer 9

Short answer: no sound in a vacuum

At $100, there will be an argument about the definition of sound. Look it up in the dictionary before you claim the bet.

Answer 10

Cheer up dude, u won $100. Infact both u and ur father r true in a way. Since, there will be sound, but due to lack of air u wont be able to hear it.