Sound & Vibrations

You have heard music make you feel something. But can it make something move — without touching it?

Can you make a wave travel from your hands to your partner's without either of you moving toward each other? And once you've done it one way — is there a second, completely different way to make a wave travel along the same spring?

What if you could build a musical instrument out of nothing but water, glasses, and food colouring? Tap the fullest glass. Now tap the emptiest. Which one do you think will be higher — and why?

You have three spoons — metal, wooden, plastic. They all do the same kitchen job. But do they all have the same voice?

Can a piece of string carry your voice? How far? And why does it stop working completely the moment you let it go slack — what does tension have to do with sound?

Can a coat hanger really sing? It has no vocal cords. Knock it against a desk and all you get is a dull, forgettable clunk. But tie two pieces of string to it, press the ends into your ears, and knock it again — what do you think you'll hear?