sound

[gaz_farr]

Whilst at a terribly boring football match last night i got to thinking about how sound works in relation to fans singing.

If 1 bloke was to chant in the stand opposite me it would be pretty hard to hear him. How come then when 1000 blokes chant it's really loud. They all sing at the same volume which individually isnt very loud so how come it's so loud when they sing together.

Sorry if this seems a stupid question but it is puzzling me!

[whowhatwhy]

1 candle in a dark room...still dark...
1000 candles in a room...blinding!

[jake-the-peg]

The singing is due to vocal cords vibrating the air.

More vocal cords more air being vibrated.

More vibrating air more energy in the sound making it louder.

If they could all sing exactly the same the actual sound waves would become reinforced and you'd get a really loud sound

[potterfan3]

It sounds all mumbled anyway

[mibn2cweus]

There is the group support factor to consider. When singing with the group we feel less self-conscious and therefore let it rip.

Also, it harder to hear a distinct sound against a background of noise. If everyone is making (more or less) the same sound then the background noise is complimentary and reinforcing rather than competitive and interfering.