Out on an essential walk and I just walked under some power lines, why do they make that loud buzzing sound? Thank you!
In: Physics
They’re physically changing shape from the current flowing through them.
Most power lines are carrying AC at 50 or 60 Hz which means the current drops to 0 either 100 or 120 times per second. Every time the current ramps back up to a high value the flowing current creates a magnetic field which physically changes the shape of the wire, think of it like filling a hose with high pressure water how it’ll stiffen up. Now empty that hose and refill it again really fast and do that 100 times per second, you get a big hose that’s flopping about and making a lot of noise.
You’ll get really loud noise if you’re near a big transformer because there is an iron core inside of windings of wires which experiences a really strong magnetic field and will buzz because of that.
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