IACSIT International Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 4, No.
4, August 2012
Experimental Study of Cymatics
You Jin Oh and Sojin Kim
AbstractCymatics is the study of the visualization of sounds.
Cymatics analyzes sounds by applying basic principles of wave
mechanics. Since sound is a type of wave, it can be displayed
through visual media. Inspired by the idea that Cymatics
visualizes sound, this study researches the previous studies
about Cymatics, especially Ernest Chladnis Cymatics pattern
which is the most achieving. By conducting experiments, this
study estimates the accuracy of the Chladni patterns and
suggests that different Cymatics forms can be found when
experiments are conducted in different circumstances.
Verifying Chaldni patterns and studying Cymatics is important
to systemize the visualization of sound for useful application. If
sound can be systematically visualized, it would expand the
opportunity for people with impaired hearing to communicate
and appreciate art.
Index TermsCymatics, chladni pattern, aurally-challenged.
thoroughly, resulting in the lack of information and data
about Cymatics. As we researched the topic we found out a
standardized pattern of visualized sound, the Chladni pattern.
The purpose of this paper is to prove the validity of the
Chladni pattern by studying Cymatics thoroughly and
examine the possible contribution of the pattern to the aurally
challenged
II. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
A. Hypothesis
We establish two hypotheses about the change of shapes of
visualized sound.
wave velocity,
density,
bulk modulus
I. INTRODUCTION
wave velocity,
As the number of MP3 players increases throughout the
world, modern people can listen to music everywhere, any
time. These days, people with earphones, enjoying music,
can be seen everywhere. Some of the unfortunate people,
however, must live in complete silence. They have
limitations in sympathizing with other ordinary people who
can listen to music and watch movies. They have limitations
in sympathizing with other ordinary people about ordinary
activities, such as listening to music or watching movies. In
movies, background music flows out from the speakers for
various scenes. Music that fits to the scene flows through the
speaker every moment. It helps people focus on the movie
and to be more moved and touched; however, this function is
of no use to those who are auditorily challenged. Also, when
singers dance along the music, the dance is merely gestures to
people who cannot hear. We are willing to afford these
people the chance to appreciate the value of music with
something other than auditory senses.
Song is a form of art that is created when lyrics and
melodies come together. People are touched by music when
these two blend properly. However, if people
cannot hear, even though they can read the lyrics, they
cannot listen to the melody. What if we can visualize melody
just like lyrics? We thought that people who are aurally
challenged can enjoy music by sight, replacing auditory
senses.
The key of visualizing sound is Cymatics. Cymatics is the
wave length,
frquency
(1)
(2)
Hypothesis 1: Relation between the type of board and the
shape on the board
According to (1), sounds that have same frequency have
different velocities because of the bulk modulus of their
media. If the velocity varies, according to (2), the wave
length would change. This change indicates that the distance
between two consecutive nodes would differ according to its
material. The lines are formed by particles on the node, so the
change of location of nodes would result in the change of the
shape.
Hypothesis 2: Relationship between the frequency and the
shape on the board
According to (2), the change of sound frequency would
result in the change of wave length. Because the change of
wave length results the change of location of node, the shape
displayed on the board will vary.
B. Experiment
To confirm the validity of the Chladni pattern and our
hypotheses, we conduct experiment.
Tools: Function generator, audio amplifier, speaker,
oscilloscope, various boards(paper, polystyrene)
Variable: Type of the board, frequency of sound
Procedure
First, connect the speaker to an amplifier and a function
generator. Then, glue the board to the speaker and scatter
particles on the board. Generate a frequency by frequency
generator. Then, observe and record the shape on the board.
Change frequency by 10Hz and record different shapes on
the board. See Fig. 1.
study of visualized sound and vibration. Unlike other
fields of studies, Cymatics was not studied and researched
Manuscript received June 9, 2012, and revised July 12, 2012.
The authors are with the Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies (e-mail:
[email protected]).
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IACSIT International Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 4, No. 4, August 2012
Fig. 6. Chladni pattern.
Fig. 7. 130Hz on polystrene.
Fig. 1. Block diagram of experimental device.
C. Result
Fig. 8. Chladni pattern
Fig. 10. Chladni pattern
Fig. 9. 450Hz on paper
Fig. 11. 980Hz on paper
As shown in the Fig. 6 to 11, some of the results showed
similar result with Chaldni pattern. Chladni experimented
with violin bow, which he could not specify frequency. We
can know the range of frequency is quite scattered, because
he used violin bow to produce sound. On the contrary, our
frequency generator created sound from 110Hz to 1200Hz.
Even though all the results are not identical, overall patterns
are similar since the basic principles lying on the experiments
are same.
D. Analysis
Fig. 2. 110Hz on Polystyrene. Fig. 3. 160Hz on Polystyrene.
III. CONCLUSION
A. Practical Value of Cymatics
When Braille was designed, it was an innovative method
to involve visually impaired people into world of letters and
literatures. By transforming visual language into tactile
language, visually disabled people were able to expand their
domain of communication. Although they can listen to what
others say, sound does not provide them the same
accessibility to language as sight: they could not enjoy
literature, which is an art piece made up with words.
However, Braille enabled them to read and appreciate the art
itself.
We believe that Cymatics would facilitate conversion of
sound to visual language. If the sound is visualizes, as Braille
expanded chance of communication, visualization will lead
people to appreciate auditory art such as music
Fig. 4. 600Hz on polystyrene. Fig. 5. 780Hz on polystyrene.
In Fig. 2, the pattern of 110Hz is two vertical lines. As
figure shows there is only the horizontal standing wave.
Vertical standing wave does not exist at 110Hz. In Fig 3,
there are two horizontal lines which show that there is only
vertical standing wave at frequency 160Hz. In Fig 4, even
though lines are bent, there are four vertical lines which mean
that there are only horizontal lines. Also in Fig 5, there are
bent horizontal four lines. There is no horizontal standing
wave
After observing all the patterns in the chart we can
conclude that:
Patterns become more complicated as frequency becomes
higher. If frequency becomes higher, there are more nodes
and antinodes.
Patterns on the paper board and patterns on the polystyrene
board are different. Since every subst ance has different
resonance frequency, every plate creates different patterns
B. Further Application
Cymatic Therapy
Cymatherapy is a computerized form of combined sound
and magnetic therapy applied directly to the body. It uses
subtle audible sounds that simultaneously work on an
energetic and physical level. Cymatherapy supports the
bodys natural ability to heal itself by providing precise
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IACSIT International Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 4, No. 4, August 2012
combinations of frequencies that are associated with healthy
tissue and organ systems. Cymatherapy assists your body to
provide itself with effective and gentle relief for stress, injury,
chronic pain and many other conditions. This therapy is also
highly effective when combined with many of the other
available therapies offered by Natural Holistics, such as
massage, chiropractic or nutritional medicine. [1]
Autism
Various discussions are ongoing with autistic research and
support centers. Extensive discussions have taken place on
the benefits of integrating interactive technologies with
cymatics to allow total sensory immersion and control. A
commission for Aldeburgh music saw seeper.com and
flat-e.com (the creators of this site) design, develop and build
an interactive cymatic installation in cooperation with school
children. Discussions with a key autism center in the UK
have lead to ongoing development of interactive cymatics in
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this context. Various discussions are ongoing with autistic
research and support centers. [2]
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Our physics teacher, Myung Sun Ryu, provided basic
theoretical information about overall wave mechanics.
Especially, he was the first person who introduced Cymatics
to us.
Doctor Oh (Hak Seo Oh) advised us about designing the
experiment and provided equipments for experiment. He also
provided us a place for experiment.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
"Cymatherapy." Web log post. Cymatics. Ed. Evan Grant. Web.
[Online]. Available: http://www.cymatics.co.uk/
"Autism." Web log post. Cymatics. Ed. Evan Grant. Web. [Online].
Available:
http://www.cymatics.co.uk/
