Why does moistening you lips help whistling?

[Gagabiji]

^ Was just wondering about this today in the car...*shrugs* just wondering if anyone knows.

 

[TerribleTerryTate]

My guess:

When you're lips are dry, each lip has a lot of bumps on it (imagine a road full of speed bumps). When you lick your lips, your lips smooth out and you have a more uniform surface for the air to flow across/through. Then again, I don't know anything about fluid dynamics, acoustics, or even how to whistle!

 

[TheStigma]

I don't have any hard facts to back this up with of course, but I would guess that the overall elasticity of the outer layer of the lips is increased by adding moisture, and that this allows the skin to vibrate more easily. I assume I dont have to explain that vibrations are basicly the same as sounds =)

i doubt you'l ever get a "cold hard fact" kinda answer on this one hehe
-Stigma

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: TerribleTerryTate
My guess:

When you're lips are dry, each lip has a lot of bumps on it (imagine a road full of speed bumps). When you lick your lips, your lips smooth out and you have a more uniform surface for the air to flow across/through. Then again, I don't know anything about fluid dynamics, acoustics, or even how to whistle!

:thumbsup:

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: TheStigma
I don't have any hard facts to back this up with of course, but I would guess that the overall elasticity of the outer layer of the lips is increased by adding moisture, and that this allows the skin to vibrate more easily. I assume I dont have to explain that vibrations are basicly the same as sounds =)

i doubt you'l ever get a "cold hard fact" kinda answer on this one hehe
-Stigma

Yep, it's harder to whistle with dry lips.