Listening to seashells....
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
Atlantic City, New Jersey
May 26, 2008 7:23pm CST
I remember being a kid and putting seashells to my ear so "hear the ocean" as my mother - and everyone else says about it. Well just today I found out the most interesting thing.....
Although the sound inside a seashell may sound like the ocean or waves, what we are really hearing are faint sounds which are always around us but are too soft for us to hear. The seashell acts as a resonator- making the noise it captures echo back and forth inside- therefore mimicking the sound of the "ocean". This happens mostly because of the shells shape and smooth inner surface. Interesting huh? I thought so;)
How many mylotters did/do this when at the beach (listening to seashells)? And were you always told it was the sound of the ocean inside like I was?
2 responses
@beautyNsmarts (58)
• United States
27 May 08
I KNEW IT WASNT THE OCEAN! aww man;does mommy know? she needs to know if she don't.lol.
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
28 May 08
hahahaha- I know right!!!!
Love Ya little sister!
@sunkissed (4330)
• United States
27 May 08
Yes, I do like to go to the ocean, and collect the seashells. I always do like to listen to the sounds inside of the differant shells.It really does sound like you are at the ocean when you listen to them.I was not aware of this until you wrote this article. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@warmweatherwoman (2233)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
28 May 08
I would have still thought it was the ocean if I didn't come across this information in a "Questions Kids Ask" book! I was floored when I read that it is actually the echo's of the sounds in the room around us!
1 person likes this
