Why is there a whistling sound when a car travels over a concrete bridge?
In: Physics
When tires travel across different types of pavement they make different noises. Asphalt and concrete sound different because they are different hardness and the way the tires flex as they roll over create different pitches. In addition some places seal the bridge decks to keep water out. This sealant is yet a different hardness and therefore a different sound.
It’s common for bridges to have grooves across them for water drainage, ice, and improved traction. Running over the ridges causes vibrations in the car that make that sound.
Some roads are altered to make music this way. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_road
Also most bridges have some sort of wall or barrier very close to the edge of the roadway so your hear the noise reflected back to you that you normally would not hear when your driving on an open road.
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