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Introduction:
A glass harmonica is a great instrument to try doing an experiment, but have you ever consider making music with actual glasses? It’s a very unique and easy project to accomplish. And a very interesting way to show science. All you have to do is put your finger in a water of a very thin wine glass and move it slightly around it as you vibrate and make a tone. Being that this is such an easy project all you basically need is materials from home; a few wine glasses, water, and maybe some vinegar to help the stick and sliding on the glasses. Anyhow background info will be great too.
Materials:
A few thin-walled kind of wine glasses, water, people/guests, vinegar(optional)
Procedure:
Fill the glass about half-full with water.
Dip your pointer finger into the water (or vinegar) to clean it. Use a napkin to wipe off any dirt or oil on your finger. Clean is good.
You’ll need a little moisture to help, so dip your finger into the water again.
Set your clean, moist finger on the rim of the glass, press down slightly, and rub it all the way around the rim without stopping. Keep going in a circular motion along the lip of the glass while maintaining the pressure, and, in almost no time, you’ll have displayed a newfound musical talent.
Several things have to be just right for a tone to be produced: pressure, moisture, glass type, etc. Keep trying because it’s worth it. Once you get there, it’s hard to stop.
Scientific Principle:
Sympathetic resonance occurs when sound waves generated by one glass travel through the air and interact with the second glass to make the second glass vibrate as well. This occurs because both glasses are “tuned” to the same frequency, or tone. You can see these vibrations when you place the toothpick on top of the second glass and make the first “sing.”
Safety Regulations: glass hazards if broke, hand washing, carefulness.
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