Demonstrations

Lissajous Figures - Harmonograph

Code Number :	3A80.43
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 :	Harmonograph apparatus, three large lead blocks.
Procedure :	Set the apparatus up as shown. Brace the corners with the blocks so that the apparatus does not move around when the pendulum is in motion. Set the pendulum in motion with a large amplitude, then carefully drop the pen onto the paper. For multiple patterns, set the pendulum in motion in a different plane and then drop the pen again.

Web Sites

Harmonograph.

http://bizarrelabs.com
© 1997-2002 Brian Carusella, All rights reserved.

References

Christopher Chiaverina, "Phosphorescent Drawing Pendulum", TPT, Vol. 44, # 4, Apr. 2006, p. 246.

C. Criado, N. Alamo, "A Simple Construction to Illustrate Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 42, # 4, April 2004, p. 248.

Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Devices to Illustrate Lissajous Figures," TPT, Vol. 41, # 9, Sept. 2003, p. 351.

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "The Double-Elliptic Harmonograph," TPT, Vol. 36, # 2, p. 90, (Feb. 1998).

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

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "The Kaleidophone", TPT, Vol. 30, # 1, Jan. 1992, p. 38.

O. Herrera, "Mechanical Device to Draw Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 29, # 5, May 1991, p. 284.

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Harmonographs", TPT, Vol. 17, # 4 , Apr. 1979, p. 256.

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Lissajous Figure Drawing Device (Photo)", AJP, Vol. 70, # 8, Aug. 2002, p. 797.

Robert J. Whitaker, "Harmonographs. I. Pendulum Design", AJP, Vol. 69, # 2, p. 162, Feb. 2001.

Robert J. Whitaker, "Harmonographs. II. Circular Design", AJP, Vol. 69, # 2, p. 174, Feb. 2001.

C.L. Stong, "Zany Mechanical Devices That Draw the Figures Known As Harmonograms," The Amateur Scientist, (May, 1965).

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

"Drawing Board," Exploratorium Science Snackbook.

Raymond Bruman, "Harmonograph," Exploratorium Cookbook I, p. 76.1 - 76.4.

Raymond Bruman, "Relative Motion," Exploratorium Cookbook I, p. 77.1 - 77.4.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille