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Music Calms the Fire? 音波灭火？

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With its lights flashing, the fire engine speeds towards the blaze. The truck screeches to a halt and out jumps a portly opera singer. He begins to sing, using his deep voice to beat back the flames.

闪着警示灯的消防车向火场快驶，在尖锐煞车声中停下后，跳下一个圆滚滚的歌剧演唱家，他开始歌唱，用浑厚的嗓音逼退大火。

OK – maybe not. But scientists know that sound can be used for extinguishing a fire. They aren’t sure why, but they have a theory. What we call sound is actually waves of high and low pressure areas in the air. A drop in pressure also causes a drop in temperature. It is thought that the low pressure area of some low notes reduces the air temperature enough to put out flames.

好吧──也许不至于如此，但科学家知道声音可用来灭火。尽管还不确定原因何在，他们却有一个理论。所谓的声音，其实是空气中高压区及低压区的波动，而压力下降时会造成温度降低。科学界认为，有些低音的低压区可将空气温度降低到足以灭火。

Researchers are now working on a device that would blast waves of low-frequency sound at a target. Development of this musical fire-extinguisher is still in its earliest stages, but the technology could be incredibly useful.

研究人员目前正在研发一种装置，用来朝目标物轰出低频率声音，尽管这种音乐灭火器的研发仍处于早期阶段，但这项科技可能很有用。

The system could be used for putting out fires in places where spraying water would be dangerous or damaging. Spaceships could be equipped with such a system instead of resorting to water or toxic chemicals. Similarly, a conventional sprinkler system could damage priceless objects in a museum, but a gigantic horn could one day save the Mona Lisa. That should be music to anyone’s ears.

在灌水灭火会造成危险或损害的地方，便可用到此一系统。宇宙飞船可装设该系统，而不必诉诸水或有毒化学药品。同样的，一般自动洒水系统可能会损害博物馆内价值非凡的收藏品，但也许有一天，一个大型喇叭将拯救名画《蒙娜莉萨》。那可真是悦耳的好消息啊！

−by Michael Karanicolas

Vocabulary

单词发音

blaze [blez] n. 火焰

extinguish [ɪkˋstɪŋgwɪʃ] v. 熄灭（火等）

resort [rɪˋzɔrt] v. 诉诸，凭借，求助[（+to）]

conventional [kənˋvɛnʃən!] adj. 传统的

gigantic [dʒaɪˋgæntɪk] adj. 巨大的，庞大的

More Information

单词发音

screech [skritʃ] v. 尖叫；发出尖锐刺耳的声音

portly [ˋportlɪ] adj.【婉】【幽】肥胖的；个头大的

put out 扑灭  to extinguish

blast [blæst] v. 爆发出

spaceship [ˋspes͵ʃɪp] n. 宇宙飞船

sprinkler [ˋsprɪŋklɚ] n.〔天花板上的〕自动喷水灭火装置

horn [hɔrn] n. 警笛，喇叭

music to one's ears 佳音; 好消息  a welcome sound to someone; news that someone is pleased to hear

Reading Questions

1. According to the article, which of the following is true?

A. The scientists have successfully developed a musical fire extinguisher.

B. The low pressure area of low-frequency sound can lower temperature.

C. There really was an opera singer using his deep voice to put out the flames.

D. Higher temperature can raise the air pressure and create the sound of a high note.

2. Which of the following is a place where the new firefighting device would NOT be used?

A. A space with extremely high pressure and no air.

B. A room which is full of precious paper documents.

C. A location with bad air and high temperature.

D. A basement that is piled with lots of toxic chemicals.

3. What is the purpose of this article?

A. To teach people the way to use the new firefighting device.

B. To explain how fires can cause a lot of pressure.

C. To discuss a new way to put out fires with sound.

D. To prove how chemicals can be used for fighting fires.

Answer