The mystery behind the sound of finger cracking has finally been solved by scientists from France and the United States. For years, the origin of the sound and whether or not it is harmful has been a topic of debate. According to Professor Abdul Barakat from the Parisian Ecole Polytechnique, the sound is created when a tiny bubble in the fluid of the finger joint bursts. The researchers used a mathematical model and a geometric representation of the joint to find the true origin of the sound.
In 1971, scientists had already suspected that the sound of finger cracking was caused by a bubble, but later research showed that bubbles were still present in the joint fluid after cracking. The latest research confirms that bubbles are indeed responsible for the sound, even if only one of them bursts. However, not every finger of every person can produce the cracking sound, and it can only be repeated after about 20 minutes. The scientists also believe that it is not harmful to crack one’s fingers.
While there may be more important questions in science, the mystery of finger cracking has been a long-standing one. The researchers’ use of a mathematical model and a geometric representation of the joint has finally provided an answer. The sound is created by a tiny bubble bursting in the fluid of the finger joint. Although not every finger can produce the sound, it is not harmful to crack one’s fingers.
