[ELI5] Why does a large amount of quiet noises combine to make a loud noise.

Question

[ELI5] Why does a large amount of quiet noises combine to make a loud noise.

In: 2

Answer 1

Sound is a wave, like waves on water. It might go +1, 0, -1, 0, and so on. Add a second of the same, and it goes +2, 0, -2, 0. All a bunch in all over and it’s like a big pool party where the water is just moving everywhere, and the pool won’t be still/quiet anywhere.