Demonstrations

Lissajous Figures - Laser and 3 Mirrors

Code Number :	3A80.40 / 9C40.60
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Excellent
Principle :	Lissajous Figures
Area of Study :	Acoustics
Equipment :	Spirograph unit, Laser
Procedure :	The Spirograph will give Lissajous figures if you use only two of the motors. Adjusting the motor speeds will give a variety of figures. The bean bags are for vibration control.

References

Keith Bellof, "Mini-Laser Spirograph", TPT, Vol. 42, # 8, Nov. 2004, p. 504.

Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Devices to Illustrate Lissajous Figures," TPT, Vol. 41, # 6, Sept. 2003, p. 351.

Thomas B. Greenslade, "All About Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 31, # 6, Sept. 1993, p. 364.

George Schuttinger, "Laser Light Show - Wet and Wild" and "Laser Light Show - Quick and Clean", TPT, Vol. 31, # 6, Sept. 1993, p. 375.

K. David Pinkerton, "Laser Light Fantastic Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 29, # 3, Mar. 1991, p. 168.

Chris Chiaverina, "A Laser Spirograph for Under $3," TPT, Vol. 28, # 9, p. 606, (Dec. 1990).

John M. D'Mura, "Three-Dimensional Lissajous Figures," TPT, Vol. 27, # 2, p. 98, (Feb. 1989).

Richard B. Minnix and D. Rae Carpenter, Jr., "A Laser Spirograph", TPT, Vol. 20, # 6, Sept. 1982, p. 415 - 416.

Michael H. Reifer, Robert B. Prigo, "Mirror Mounting for Projecting Laser Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 20, #5, May 1982, p. 334 - 335.

Y. P. Hwu, "Simplified Simple Harmonic Motion by a Soap Film", TPT, Vol. 17, # 9, Dec. 1979, p. 593.

Tom Campbell, "Projection of Lissajous Figures Using a Laser", TPT, Vol. 10, # 5, May 1972, p. 283.

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Lissajous Figures Demonstration (Photo)", AJP, Vol. 72, # 10, Oct. 2004, p. 1275.

S- le: Wallace A. Hilton, "Lissajous Figures," Physics Demonstration Experiments.

C.L. Stong, "Water Droplets That Float on Water, and Lissajous Figures Made with a Pendulum," The Amateur Scientist, (August, 1973).

Gordon McComb, "The Old-Rubber-Sheet-Over-The-Speaker Trick," Lasers, Ray Guns, & Light Cannons, p. 279.

K. D. Fuller, "Laser Lissajous Figures," p. 67.

Brian Jones and Matt Fackelman, "Laser Bongo", Don't Forget the Duct Tape, p. 65 - 68.

Brian Jones and Matt Fackelman, "Laser Spirograph", Don't Forget the Duct Tape, p. 69 - 72.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille