2007-05-06 09:14:55 · 8 answers · asked by guitar_lady81 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Helium is significantly less dense than air. As a result, the speed of sound is much higher in helium. By inhaling helium you are effectively increasing the speed of the sound of your voice.
If you want a very detailed website with demonstrations, you can go here:
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/PHYSICS_!/SPEECH_HELIUM/speech.html
(when you go on the site, scroll down to "What helium does to speech")
hope this helps! :)
2007-05-06 09:21:02 · answer #1 · answered by Ms. Elisa 3 · 26⤊ 4⤋
It's because sound travels faster in helium. Wave length times frequency is the speed of the wave. Since the wave length is the same in helium as in air, but the speed goes up, the frequency goes up. Ears hear frequency.
2013-12-27 21:10:04 · answer #2 · answered by Morgan W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Helium is much less dense than air. Therefore your vocal cords are vibrating in a medium where the speed can increase. Since speed of a wave = frequency X wavelength, when the speed increases the frequency does also. Frequency is the pitch of the sound.
2007-05-06 10:13:40 · answer #3 · answered by science teacher 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Helium is an inert gas that is lighter than air.
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
2007-05-06 10:19:50 · answer #4 · answered by gatorbait 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋
The answers above are what it does to speech which does answer your question but it also does this so please don't do this and stop anyone who does.....
Evidence has proven that the inhalation of helium can be fatal, yet thousands of party goers continue to inhale helium thinking it to be incredibly funny rather than life threatening. The inhalation of helium cuts off a person's supply of oxygen and can cause dizziness, unconsciousness and ultimately death. If the concentration of oxygen is decreased below 18% within the human body, symptoms and signs of Asphyxia can occur. Helium gas can totally displace the available oxygen and if this is maintained for even a few seconds, asphyxia and death can and will occur
2007-05-06 09:39:02 · answer #5 · answered by lillorikay 2 · 9⤊ 5⤋
helium is very tiny and the vibrations of your voice can move faster then in air
2007-05-06 09:22:28 · answer #6 · answered by Tsc 2 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Based on the illogical hypothesis of helium formula 2 time 5 quandrela a chemical that is in helium called gisazia can often go into your vocal cord and weaken your speach system thus causing your voiec to be high pitch
2007-05-06 09:19:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 13⤋
because helium is very light and it raises you voice box
2007-05-06 09:18:14 · answer #8 · answered by drew rulz 2 · 2⤊ 12⤋