Scientists finally work out how clapping hands generates sound
A study has unravelled the physics behind the sound of hand claps, revealing it's more complex than just hands hitting each other.
The sound is generated by a pocket of air compressed between the hands and rapidly expelled, causing air molecules to vibrate, similar to the Helmholtz resonance principle.
Researchers used live experiments, theoretical modelling, and silicone replicas of hands, modifying speed, shape, and skin softness to understand clapping.
The elasticity of hands causes energy absorption, resulting in a short "pop" sound rather than a longer noise.
Researchers suggest clapping could potentially be used for human identification due to the unique sound and frequency of each person's clap.
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