======Sympathetic Resonance with Tuning Forks====== **Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\ **Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\ **Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\ \\ **Categories:** {{$demo.categories}} \\ **Alternative titles:** ====Summary==== {{$demo.summary}} ====Procedure==== - Place two tuning forks of the same pitch on a table, with one mounted on a wooden resonance box. - Strike the free tuning fork gently to produce a clear tone. - Hold it near the mounted tuning fork for a few seconds. - Stop the vibration of the first fork by lightly touching it. - Listen for the sound continuing from the mounted fork, which is vibrating sympathetically. - Optionally, repeat the demonstration with a string instrument, showing how strings vibrate in sympathy when a matching tuning fork is struck nearby. ====Links==== Sympathetic Resonance - Michael McPeck: {{youtube>sxRkOQmzLgo?}}\\ 📄 Tuning Fork - Adjustable Sympathetic - Set of 2 (also describes procedure) - Modern Teaching Aids: [[https://www.teaching.com.au/product/tuning-fork-8211-adjustable-sympathetic-8211-set-of-2?srsltid=AfmBOoqMOjT1E66iwWPgPP7BCzOSgFsNBDss8v_GECKzskpLBqTh-xqt]]\\ ====Variations==== * Try tuning forks tuned to different intervals (octave, fifth, third) to compare resonance strength. * Demonstrate with a guitar or piano: strike a tuning fork near a string of the same pitch and listen for the string vibrating. * Use multiple tuning forks to show selective resonance - only the one with the same frequency responds. * Use an analogy for earthquake waves propagating through the Earth's crust ====Safety Precautions==== * Strike tuning forks against a rubber striker or padded surface, not hard objects, to prevent damage. * Handle tuning forks carefully; avoid dropping them on hard surfaces. ====Questions to Consider==== * Why does the second tuning fork vibrate without being struck? * Why is the effect strongest at unison and octaves compared to other intervals? * How does sympathetic resonance enhance the sound of string instruments like pianos or sitars? * What factors determine whether two objects can resonate sympathetically? * Can sympathetic resonance occur outside of music (e.g., in bridges or buildings)?