What use is made of this fact?

The tramping of horses or the rumbling of cars and wagons, when at a distance, may be heard by placing the ear near the ground.

Do all solid substances produce the same amount of sound when struck?

No; soft substances, such as lead and wood, produce but little sound; while hard substances, such as copper, bell-metal, and glass, produce much more sound.

What are hard bodies, producing much sound, called?

They are called sonorous bodies.

Is a bell a very sonorous body?

Yes; a bell is one of the most sonorous bodies that we have.

Why does a bell ring when struck?

Because the stroke causes the particles of the bell to vibrate.