How are vowels produced differently from consonants?

In linguistics, the primary distinction between vowels and consonants lies in the configuration of the vocal tract during speech production.1

• Vowels: These are produced with a relatively free passage of air through the vocal tract, which functions as a resonance chamber. There is minimal obstruction and no audible friction. Because the vocal tract remains open, vowels are typically characterized by their formant frequencies, which are determined by the position of the tongue and lips.123
• Consonants: These are characterized by a closure or narrowing of the vocal tract, resulting in a complete or partial blockage of the airflow. Unlike vowels, which generally maintain a single-tube configuration, the production of many consonants involves side branches (such as the nasal tract) or specific obstructions that alter the airflow.43

While phoneticians note that a precise articulatory definition can be difficult to formulate, vowels are also generally considered to be syllabic, whereas consonants are classified by their specific place and manner of articulation, such as stops, fricatives, or laterals.14