Explain the “finger snapping” mechanism, using the following questions as a guideline: What’s happening? What causes the sound?

Finger snapping is caused by the unique anatomy of the human hand. When you snap your fingers, you are creating a sound by making your middle finger hit the fleshy part of your palm, typically the base of your thumb, with a sudden force. This force creates a shockwave that travels through the air, producing the snapping sound that you hear. The actual sound is caused by the rapid movement of air molecules within the shockwave. The sound is amplified by the hollow space created by your hand that acts like a resonator, which adds extra volume and a dull echo effect to the snap. The rapid motion of your fingers and the force of your hand hitting your palm create a controlled burst of sound that is audible to those around you.