Which is the only sound that does not produce an echo?
Question #6096. Asked by Meaty.
dave_fl
Answer has 3 votes
dave_fl 25 year member
232 replies
Answer has 3 votes.
An old urban legend that has been around far too long. A duck's quack absolutely DOES echo, as does every other sound.
Sep 18 2000, 9:24 PM
Yaarbiriah
Answer has 3 votes
Yaarbiriah 22 year member
107 replies
Answer has 3 votes.
Sound studies have shown that since the 'quack' includes wavelengths over such a wide range, the human ear cannot distinguish the echo of the quack from the sound of the quack itself.
('Mythbusters', Discovery Channel)
Apr 25 2007, 9:00 AM
Baloo55th
Answer has 4 votes
Currently Best Answer
Baloo55th 22 year member
4545 replies
Answer has 4 votes.
Currently voted the best answer.
An echo isn't a matter of wavelengths, it's a matter of timing of return of the sound. Any return of reflected sound that comes back after the initial sound has finished is an echo. Any sound of the right volume and in the right place WILL create an echo. However, ducks are rarely quacking in places that are conducive to the production of echoes, and tend to go on and on anyway, so it is unlikely that you will hear a duck echo. This is not to say that the quack doesn't echo.