Variations of Visible Sound: Almost a Chladni Simulator

Iréne Lindberg

German multitalent Ernst Chladni (1756-1827) is known as the “father of acoustics”. His achievements include visualizing vibrations using the “Chladni plate”; by drawing a bow across the edge of a metal plate with some sand sprinkled across it. The resonance of the vibration causes the sand to form different patterns based on nodal lines (lines where no vibration occurs). The different patterns can be explained using equations, but we both know that I won’t be doing that here. This simulation shows you how changing the amount of sand and vibrations affects the Chladni pattern. OBS! This demonstration is not based on accurate Chladni equations, I have only attempted to achieve something similar to actual Chladni patterns. My project doesn't use real sound but you can see a real life demonstration using this link by YouTube channel Nigel John Stanford.