What is the main fundamental concept behind whistles?

Question

hi, can someone please tell me how is it that a whistle makes noise? please explain in simple terms, what is the concept in physics that is involved in whistles? i have studied conceptual physics but no calculational physics, thanks!

Answer 1

Essentially, a whistle is a partially-enclosed volume of air. When you blow air over/through the aperture, the mass of air inside vibrates at its resonant frequency (which depends on the air temperature and size of the whistle). The vibrations causes oscillating pressure waves (otherwise known as sound) to be emitted, and you hear a noise.