The Science of Sound

Sound is energy created by vibration and travels through the air, not unlike waves of water in the ocean or on a lake. Sound can travel faster through liquid and objects, but is distorted by obstacles depending on the strength of the sound-wave and the mass of the obstacle. Much like ripples on the water surface, sound will find it’s way around corners and through passages, but loses it’s energy along the way.

Wind, rain and humidity will diminish the energy of a sound-wave as it travels through the air. On a windless, dry, balmy and dry night, sound can travel undisturbed for quite a distance without losing much in clarity and fidelity. According to the Guinness Book of World Records there is a recorded case, under optimal acoustic conditions, of the human voice being detectable at a distance of 17 km across still water at night. Marius was much closer than that on his island hideaway…

Guinness Reference