What immediate, temporary side effect results from the faster travel of sound waves in helium?
Answer
High-pitched or squeaky voice change
A notable and temporary physical manifestation experienced by patients receiving Heliox therapy is a change in vocal quality. This occurs because sound waves travel considerably faster through helium than they do through standard atmospheric gases like nitrogen and oxygen. Consequently, the patient's voice will sound noticeably high-pitched or 'squeaky.' This effect is purely acoustic, related to the medium through which the sound travels, and resolves completely and immediately once the patient is switched back to breathing standard air.
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