3D32.20 Singing Tube

Demo Description

This demonstration shows how the movement of hot air through a tube designed to be resonant produces an audible tone.

Equipment:

• Singing Tube
• Bunsen Burner or Blowtorch
• Heat Gloves

Location: H128-H5

Caution / Safety Info

Please See the Safety Information Page (link) regarding the following risks associated with this demonstration:

• General Safety Practices
• Fire Safety

Setup Procedure:

1. Prepare the Bunsen burner: attach the hose to a gas spigot and make sure it can ignite.

Demonstration Procedure:

1. Put on the heat gloves. Hold the singing tube and note that, inside the tube, one end has a wire mesh.
2. Hold the singing tube vertically over the flame, with the internal wire mesh exposed to the flame. After ~20s of heating, you should hear a sound coming from the tube.
3. Rotate the tube to be horizontal, and note that the sound stops. Rotate it vertical again, and show the sound starts again.
4. When finished, turn off the bunsen burner and set the tube aside with a glove on top, to indicate that it is still hot.

Notes:

• This demonstration works well with other resonance demonstrations that use forced air.