Why guitars have a hollow box
Age 9 · Science
A string on its own makes only a tiny sound because it moves very little air. A hollow box with a hole shakes along with the string and pushes lots of air, so the sound gets loud.
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Age 9: open this week
Browse Age 9In the picture
- A string alone: it moves little air, so the sound is faint
- A flat board: it shakes with the string and makes a bit more sound
- A hollow box with a hole: it resonates and makes a loud sound
Examples
- A guitar’s wooden body makes its strings sound loud.
- A violin’s hollow body fills a room with music.
Key takeaways
- A string alone makes a very quiet sound.
- A hollow box with an opening makes the sound much louder.
Quiz: Why guitars have a hollow box (Age 9)
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What sound does a guitar string make when it is on its own, with no box?
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Why is the sound of a string on its own so faint?
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How does a hollow box with a hole make the sound of a string louder?
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