Can sound be used as a weapon?

Answer 1

Yes, there is a 'cannon' that uses sound waves. It's designed for crowd control, it basically makes everyone drop to the ground and lose control of all bodily functions (ie, they mess their pants)

Answer 2

Most certainly sound can be used as a weapon. Loud enough noises can cause damage to the ear drum (tympanic membrane). If there is enough pressure generated against the membrane it can tear and that is quite painful. Sound waves can also trigger headaches and if they are at the right frequency it will debilitate someone to the point of passing out. Sound wave machines have been used in the military and are also under current research topics to be used as an assault weapon.

Answer 3

Yes and it already is by Law Enforcement (Remeber Noriega in Panama). Nowadays focused non-lethal weapons using Sound are used to cause stiffling decibels and disorentation by Law Enforcement. Some Cruise Liners have a similar system to ward off Pirates, and has been used for exactly that purpose of the Horn of Africa.

Of Course the military uses sound in Sonar, like me!

Answer 4

I don't know how the real weapons work,, but theoretically you could use it in several ways as a weapon...

Play a continued note at extremely high intensity at a human bodies resonance frequency and they will shatter. Further multiple modes of the fundamental frequency at high intensity would disrupt the surface of your skin and could tear it apart.
This would be extremely difficult to achieve, but still possible.

Ultrasound can damage tissue.

Cause superposition of sound waves (constructive interference) to converge on an enemy. The wave is energetic so it is possible to be destructive.

Answer 5

The "myth busters" on TV did a show on this and other than being annoying their show proved it to be a big NO! Can it be used as a weapon to make people capitulate? Absolutely! Noriega in Panama, hold up in a church, the US played loud rock music for days and either he or the priest decided it was time for him to give up.

Can it be used as a weapon, as in if I play the right note at the right decibel? for the most part no, can it be used as a weapon to make people give up (lack of sleep, noise, confusion, etc) yes with out a doubt.

Answer 6

Yes.
The US military currently is exploring the use of sound as part of its less-than lethal warfare program. Naturally, it stands to assume the US will be involved in more Urban conflicts than in the past. Sound technology has proven to be an advantage in situations, like urban unrest, where you need to immobalize a group without injuring them. From what I heard and saw, the sound waves are focused onto a group and can cause effects ranging from ear pain to vertigo/nausea.
They are also exploring that same applications with using light energy and microwave energy.

Cool Huh!!!

Answer 7

It's possible. Sound can carry a tremendous amount of pressure.
I cite my memory of watching an ordinance demonstration from the deck of an aircraft carrier - They dropped a couple of bombs from a jet way out over the water... Three glittering specks arcing down to the surface of the water... 1, 2, 3 they detonated way out there... Three white spheres blossomed in the distance - no sound...for a minute... Then BOOMBOOM, BOOM, with enough force to press your clothes tight around you for a moment...
That was a lot of force involved there - and it was coming from loud noise at least a mile away!

Answer 8

If you have 2 focussed sound beams from 2 separated sources and you arrange for them to meet some distance away, at that point you will get the sum and difference of the frequencies. Consider, 2 ultrasonic beams, a few Hz different in frequency, now, this will not affect anyone near the transmitter, but at the point these beams meet they will do grave damage. Taking this a stage further, one fixed frequency, one agile ..only by a few Hz....so, at the meeting point, a very low frequency scanning up /down.....evil.

Answer 9

Sounds strange but it is being used as a weapon right now...

High powered sound waves are pushed through and used as scaretactics....

Answer 10

Well yeah. Sonic weaponry is used by the miltary forces of many countries. Enouggh sond at the correct pitch and frequency can shatter glass, even break down walls. Sound can also make vibrations that can send building , even skyscrapers collapsing.

Answer 11

Some people use sound as a weapon to their next door neighbours. So the answer is definitely yes.