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Tuning Fork Basics
Tuning Fork Basics
Basics
Its important never to bang a tuning fork directly on a hard surface, as this
could damage the tuning fork. Instead, grasp it firmly at its end but keep your
wrist and fingers relaxed. Bend your elbow when holding it. There shouldn't be
any tension in your arm. Hold the tuning fork on its side so you're striking only
one of the prongs. Tap it against the heel of your hand or a rubber object. Its
made of dense metal, usually steel. Strike the tuning fork prong about one-third
of the way from the top. This is important to get the best sound. The "U" shape
causes both sides to vibrate and produces a smooth sound wave.
Visualizing Waves Tap the tuning fork against the heel of your hand, and look
closely at the tips as the fork hums. You'll notice the tips are vibrating very
slightly. This is a simple activity, but it clearly demonstrates sound waves in a
visible way. Try a variety of tuning forks, and see if you notice any difference in
their vibrations.
Wave Transfer Sound waves and energy transfer through various materials
differently. Have one partner sound a tuning fork and hold it in the air while the
other partner walks away until he/she can't hear it any longer. Measure the
distance. Strike the tuning fork again and set the vibrating tuning fork carefully
on a hard surface like a desk or a chair seat. This acts as a sounding board and
amplifies the pitch. Next, using a metal rail or pipe or a wooden banister, tap
the tuning fork again and then place the base of the tuning fork against the
metal rail. Put your ear on the rail. Repeat the process for the wooden banister.
You'll notice the sound waves travel to a greater or lesser degree depending on
the material air, metal or wood.
Water Tray Sound a tuning fork, and place the tips lightly on the surface of
some water. Watch how the water reacts to the sound waves. Try the same thing
with the end of the handle, and see if it reacts differently.
Feeling Sound Tap the tuning fork again, and place the bottom of the handle
against your cheekbone, just ahead of your ear. It will feel weird for a second,
but you'll notice that not only do you hear the sound?, you can feel the
vibration? How does this compare when you use a different tuning fork?
Part II
1. Predict what will happen when you hold a vibrating tuning fork above an
open cylinder or empty bottle.
2. Test your prediction.