eli5. how do Whistles work? Is there some sort of black magic formula that only whistle makers know ? (background: I’ve been trying to make a wooden whistle) I need a solid’ if this then that’ kind of answer please cos the tutorials I’ve seen have all been wishy washy

Question

eli5. how do Whistles work? Is there some sort of black magic formula that only whistle makers know ? (background: I’ve been trying to make a wooden whistle) I need a solid’ if this then that’ kind of answer please cos the tutorials I’ve seen have all been wishy washy

In: Engineering

Answer 1

How whistles works: there is a blade that redirect a stream of air inside, then outside, then inside, then outside, etc…

How? The inside is a closed cavity, when the air goes inside, it increase the pressure, which quickly push the stream of air on the other side of the blade and make it go outside. When the air goes outside, it catch some of the air from the cavity with it, thus decreasing the pressure, and eventually redirecting the air towards the inside of the blade.

The size of the cavity will change the tone. The blade need to be sharp and right in the middle of the incoming air jet. The only exit/entry from the cavity must be through the jet of air so as to deviate it.