Frequency Shifts of a Whistle Blown in Different Gases

摘要

In a study of the resonating characteristics of a whistle in an effort to explain variations in voice quality observed in helium speech, it was found that the pure tone production of a whistle follows the same principles for frequency resonance as that found in the human voice. Different degrees of upward shift in frequency occur for pure oxygen or a helium mixture. A taped signal does not change when played in helium-rich environment. Diffusion rates between gases appears to be important for minor shifts when the gas breathed is not the same as the environmental gas spoken into. Information presented in this report helps explains why helium speech, which is an important aspect of diving and underwater communications, sounds unusual. (Author)