Question

If someone inhales helium and then speaks, why does the person sound like Donald Duck with...

If someone inhales helium and then speaks, why does the person sound like Donald Duck with his crazy high-frequency voice? What is the danger in doing this party stunt?

Homework Answers

Answer #1

It's a matter of speed of sound. Sound travels faster in a low density gas, such as helium. The speed of sound depends on the square root of the ratio of Bulk Modulus to density, and density is lower for helium,so speed is more than in normal air.

With sound moving faster in the resonance cavity between throat and mouth, more of the higher frequency and shorter wavelength sounds can form standing waves, and the listener hears more of the higher frequencies. The main danger is that while you have been breathing helium, you haven't been getting oxygen.

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