VIBRATION

 Answer 

In the second module on Vibration (Spectrum & Timbre) it will be shown that a noisy sound like a clap has a broadband spectrum composed of a wide range of frequencies, and therefore it activates many strings to respond sympathetically.

You can try this out yourself any time you find a piano and hold down the sustain pedal (the one on the right). Try making various sounds (voice, instrument, other noises) and listen for the piano's ethereal response.