Chladni Plates (ˈklɑːdnɪ)

Materials

• PASCO Chladni Plates (violin,square,circle shapes)

• Violin Bow

• PASCO Mechanical Wave Driver

• Sand, extra fine

• Sand Shaker

Procedure

1. If using the mechanical wave driver first insert the plate into the plug.

2. Then you sprinkle the sand onto the plate any place you desire.

3. Once the wave driver is connected you adjust the frequency of vibrations to the levels desired in order to make the sand form various figures.

4. If using the violin bow plug the plate into something that would keep it balanced.

5. Then sprinkle sand onto plate any place you desire.

6. Once the plate is in place you can move the violin bow against it as if playing the violin which causes figures to form according to the vibration of the strings.

What is the Scientific Principle behind it?

• Ernst Chladni came up with another idea of wave experiments in the early nineteenth century. He did this by sprinkling sand on a thin plate and using a violin bow to cause vibrations. According to the wave patterns the sand moved and collected to create various pictures.

• Simply by adjusting the resonance and frequency you can create an endless amount of figures.