Chladni's Plates kit is a pair of square and round bronze plates, about 150mmD, mounted centrally to a clamp that can fix the discs to a bench so they are rigid but can freely vibrate when agitated with a violin bow.
A small amount of special sand is placed on the plate, the plate is lightly touched with the finger and a certain point and the resin coated bow is passed across the edge of the plate so it vibrates at its natural frequency. The sand collects on the plate in the form of complex patterns.
NSW Physics Syllabus Reference
Module 3: Light and Thermodynamics
Wave Behaviour
- Conduct an investigation to distinguish between progressive and standing waves (ACSPH072)
- Conduct an investigation to explore resonance in mechanical systems and the relationships between:
- driving frequency
- natural frequency of the oscillating system
- amplitude of motion
- transfer/transformation of energy within the system