Why can tuning fork sounds be made louder by standing them on an empty wooden box?

The sound of a tuning fork can be amplified by standing it on an empty wooden box because the box acts as a resonator. When the tuning fork vibrates, it creates sound waves that travel through the air. These sound waves can cause the wooden box to vibrate sympathetically, which means that the box vibrates at the same frequency as the tuning fork. This sympathetic vibration amplifies the sound waves, making the sound of the tuning fork louder.

The size and shape of the box will affect the sound of the tuning fork. A larger box will produce a louder sound, and a box with a longer neck will produce a higher-pitched sound. The type of wood used to make the box will also affect the sound. Softer woods, such as pine, will produce a warmer sound, while harder woods, such as maple, will produce a brighter sound.

Standing a tuning fork on an empty wooden box is a simple and effective way to amplify the sound of the tuning fork. This technique is often used by musicians and teachers to make the sound of a tuning fork louder so that it can be heard by a larger group of people.