The principle of the Chladni plate experiment is very simple. Sound frequencies generate patterns and, with a simple setup, one can turn it into eye-popping visuals.
Brusspup on YouTube, known for uploading illusion videos that showcase how science and art intersect, demonstrated acoustic resonance using a metal plate, speaker, tone generator, and fine sand. Acoustic resonance is the tendency of a structure or a system to absorb a greater amount of energy when certain frequencies matching its natural vibrating frequency are passed through or driven through it.
"So this experiment is the Chaldni experiment. I used a tone generator, a wave driver (speaker) and a metal plate attached to the speaker. First add sand to the plate then begin playing tone. Certain frequencies vibrate the metal plate in such a way that it creates areas where here is no vibration," Brusspup explained in the About section of the video.
"The sand falls into those areas, creating beautiful geometric patterns. As the frequency increases in pitch, the patterns become more complex," he added.
The Chladni Experiment is named after Ernst Florens Friedrich Chladni, a physicist and a musician often called as the "father of acoustics," who performed the experiment during the 18th century. Instead of using sand, Chladni used flour. He also used a regular violin instead of using a tone generator. The experiment resulted to beautiful Chladni patterns that are actually based on mathematical formula called Chladni's law.
Brusspup's video run for over three minutes and is definitely an eye candy even for people who may not be scientifically inclined or musically inclined. The YouTube user even creates his own music for his videos. The song playing the background of the video titled "Amazing Resonance Experiment!" uses the song brusspup calls "Dark Wave."
So far the video has been viewed almost 1.5 million times since it was uploaded on June 6. Brusspup's videos have been consistently going viral with his most popular upload titled "Amazing Anamorphic Illusions!" generating 21.7 million views
Brusspup also uploaded an unedited version of the Chladni experiment where viewers can hear the actual tones used for his version of the experiment.
Enjoy the video below:
