Sonic Weapons03

21.03.2025

Sonic Weapons03

Why in the news?                        

            The Serbian government has been accused of using a banned ‘sonic weapon’ to disperse protesters in Belgrade.

What are Sonic Weapons?

• Sonic weapons (Acoustic Weapons) are devices that deliver loud, painful sounds over long distances.
• They can emit audible or inaudible sound waves to disrupt, disorient, or incapacitate people.
• Some versions act as voice amplifiers, allowing authorities to issue commands over large distances.
• First developed for military and crowd control purposes, they were used in Iraq (2004) by the U.S. military.

How Do Sonic Weapons Work?

• They use hundreds of transducers (electronic devices that convert energy into sound waves).
• The highly concentrated and amplified sound can be directed at specific targets.
• Authorities control the frequency, volume, and duration of the sound.
• The narrow sound beam can cause extreme discomfort, pain, and disorientation to those exposed.

Types of Sonic Weapons:

• Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD): Used by law enforcement and military for crowd control. Can project sound over 8,900 meters at up to 160 decibels (dB).
  • Causes ear pain, hearing damage, nausea, and dizziness.
• Mosquito Device: Emits a high-pitched sound that only younger people (below 30 years) can hear. Used to deter loitering in public areas.
  • Causes irritation and discomfort in young individuals.
• Infrasonic Weapon: Emits low-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but cause physical pain and disorientation. Still under research.
  • Potential to cause headaches, nausea, vertigo, and internal organ damage.

                                                             Source: Indian Express

Consider the following statements with respect to sonic weapons:

1. They can emit audible or inaudible sound waves to disrupt, disorient, or incapacitate people.

2.They work on the principle of conversion of energy into sound waves.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

Answer C