The Shape of Sound

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In Diane Ackerman's description of sound she says that sound is air molecules that move in waves that begin with the movement of any object. These waves enter the outer ear which is like a funnel and vibrates the eardrum, the hammer, anvil and stirrup bones (the tiniest bones in the human body) which press fluid in the inner ear triggering the cochlea hairs which signal nerves. However, there is one misconception present very early on in this explanation. Sound does not simply travel in waves. Instead sound travels in spheres. Scientist John Stewart Reid was the first to officially introduce this new understanding of sound. Here is an excerpt from his writing on the subject:

"Sound in air is the transfer of periodic movements between adjacent colliding atoms or molecules. This sonic energy typically expands away from the site of the collisions as a spherical or bubble-shaped emanation, the surface of which is in a state of radial oscillation.
The sonic bubble expands and contracts with the same periodicities as the initiating sound source. The accepted model of sound waves is incomplete because it uses the graphical representation of the mathematical law of sinusoidal energy, typically given as amplitude in the vertical axis versus time in the horizontal. While this is correct in terms of graphical depiction, it is not how the energy actually moves through space."

More accurate depiction of sound as a sphere frozen in a moment in time, and cymatic cross-section

There is science that studies sound called cymatics. Cymatics is able to more accurately offer a visual representation of sound, and from this science were are beginning to learn more about the complexity and power of sonic vibration not only as a sensory experience but also on the level of vibration that we cannot not consciously perceive. In this way sound may in some way be connected to a 6th sense type of experience. 

If you are interested in learning more or would just like to watch cool and accurate visual representations of sounds from drums, om chanting and more check out these links:



To read more about sound as a sphere here is John Stewart Reid's article: http://www.cymascope.com/cyma_research/physics.html

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