This is one of my absolute favorites, because it’s so unexpected and unusual… the setup looks quite harmless, but it makes a sound worse than scratching your nails on a chalkboard. If you can’t find the weird ingredient, just use water and you’ll get nearly the same result (it just takes more practice to get it right). Ready?

NOTE: DO NOT place these anywhere near your ear… keep them straight out in front of you.

[am4show have=’p8;p9;p16;p43;p64;p100;’ guest_error=’Guest error message’ user_error=’User error message’ ]
Here’s what you need:

• water or violin rosin
• string
• disposable plastic cup
• pokey-thing to make a hole in the cup

Download Student Worksheet & Exercises

Exercises

1. What does the rosin (or water) do in this experiment?
2. What is vibrating in this experiment?
3. What is the cup for?

[/am4show]

Click here to go to next lesson on Vibrating Strings.