Re: Why is cupped-hand clapping louder than flat-hand clapping?

Dear Corbin: I asked a physicist friend of mine about your question. He said it was, indeed, an intriguing one, and suggested a possible answer. Before I give you his answer, I might also indicate that one can cup ones hands by different amounts, and not all those arrangements will produce the same loudness. So there is probably an "optimal" cupping. Also, you can make even a flat-hands clap loud if you use enough force. So when you ask your question, you need to realize that there must be some "scientific controls" needed if you are to put your theory to an experimental test (good mini-science-fair project?) In any event, here is my friend's response: "Intriguing query. My first guess would be like this: The loudness of a sound is related to the amplitude of the sound wave involved and the pressure difference involved in the wave. Probably one can compress air more effectively with cupped hands than with less-cupped (or flat) hands." Yours, P.M. Fichte Professor of Chemistry Coker College Hartsville,SC