![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http://www.dartofscience.com/video/cornstarch-dance/&media=http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Cornstarch-dance.jpg&description=<a href="http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m03s472.png"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-734" src="http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m03s472-300x169.png" alt="vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m03s472" width="300" height="169" /></a>Sound is a form of energy. It travels in the form of longitudinal waves through various media including air. When an object emits sound waves, it literally pushes the air molecules around it, which in turn do the same to the molecules that follow. To test this, just lightly place a hand over your mouth when you speak. Can you feel the air pushing it away?
In our experiment, we obstruct the motion of air around the amplifier surface using plastic wrap. Naturally, when sound waves are generated, the air tries to push through the opposing membrane, like somebody knocking on a door. We used cornstarch for this experiment because when mixed with a fluid like water, it behaves like a non-Newtonian fluid which behaves like a solid on impact and otherwise can flow like a liquid.<a href="http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m10s964.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-735 alignright" src="http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m10s964-300x169.png" alt="vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m10s964" width="300" height="169" /></a>
The cornstarch-water globule has a variable viscosity that is dependent on the temperature, pressure and shear stress being acted upon it. This is why when we place some cornstarch over the plastic, it starts dancing. You can actually create some very interesting patterns on this surface if you pour sand on the membrane and play sound waves at resonant frequencies. The patterns that you see in the sand are called Chladni figures, named after the German physicist who discovered this phenomenon, Ernst Chladni.)
![](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=http://www.dartofscience.com/video/cornstarch-dance/&title=CORNSTARCH DANCE&summary=<a href="http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m03s472.png"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-734" src="http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m03s472-300x169.png" alt="vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m03s472" width="300" height="169" /></a>Sound is a form of energy. It travels in the form of longitudinal waves through various media including air. When an object emits sound waves, it literally pushes the air molecules around it, which in turn do the same to the molecules that follow. To test this, just lightly place a hand over your mouth when you speak. Can you feel the air pushing it away?
In our experiment, we obstruct the motion of air around the amplifier surface using plastic wrap. Naturally, when sound waves are generated, the air tries to push through the opposing membrane, like somebody knocking on a door. We used cornstarch for this experiment because when mixed with a fluid like water, it behaves like a non-Newtonian fluid which behaves like a solid on impact and otherwise can flow like a liquid.<a href="http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m10s964.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-735 alignright" src="http://www.dartofscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m10s964-300x169.png" alt="vlcsnap-2016-05-20-16h26m10s964" width="300" height="169" /></a>
The cornstarch-water globule has a variable viscosity that is dependent on the temperature, pressure and shear stress being acted upon it. This is why when we place some cornstarch over the plastic, it starts dancing. You can actually create some very interesting patterns on this surface if you pour sand on the membrane and play sound waves at resonant frequencies. The patterns that you see in the sand are called Chladni figures, named after the German physicist who discovered this phenomenon, Ernst Chladni.&source=http://www.dartofscience.com)
NOTICE BOARD
d’Art of Science partners with DFC 2017
Starting this year, d’Art of Science partners with DFC for promoting Hands-on/DIY Culture in Schools by starting a sub-award in the annual DFC Challenge. One school selected under the Best Prototype Award will get a chance to travel to Goa and develop their solution prototype in Goa with us. Over… READ MORE…
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