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Name: Lalitha C.
Status: student
Age: 17
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2001-2002
Question:
Physics- Pertaining to Noise Temperature... My question is "Can sound be a useful source of heat energy?" Specifically, is there a physical way to concentrate and collect heat produced from different frequencies so it's significant enough to measure on instruments readily available in physics labs? Also, is the noise temp. formula [P= k(Boltzmann constant)T(system temperature)(change in v)=k(T(receiver temp)+ T'a(antenna temperature)], an accurate way to mathematically prove my question?

Replies:
Sound with frequencies above the hearing threshold (ultrasonic) is used in physical therapy to give "deep heat" treatments to muscles etc. Also ultrasonic frequencies can produce "cavitation" in liquids which cause the liquid to form superheated vapor which then collapses explosively. Under the proper conditions temperatures of thousands of degrees can be achieved for short periods of time and in small volumes.

Vince Calder


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