Demonstrations

Beats - Tuning Fork

Code Number :	3B60.10
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 :	Good
Principle :	Constructive & Destructive Interference of Sound Waves
Area of Study :	Acoustics
Equipment :	Match tuning forks and rubber mallet.
Procedure :	Set the tuning fork side by side and strike. The beat frequency can be increased or decreased by moving the metal rider on one of the forks.

References

Frank J. Blatt, "Beats and Nodes", TPT, Vol. 32, # 1, Jan. 1994, p. 5.

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Beats Produced by a Moving Tuning Fork", TPT, Vol. 31, # 7, Oct. 1993, p. 443.

Terrence P. Toepker, "More Beats", TPT, Vol. 29, # 9, Dec. 1991, p. 548.

R.G. Newburgh, "Lapping in Races as a Model for Beats," TPT, Vol. 28, # 8, p. 557, (November 1990).

H. J. Janssen and E. L. M. Flerackers, "Beats: An Interference Phenomenon", TPT, Vol. 17, # 3. Mar. 1979, p. 188.

Joe Crnkovich, "More on Partial Credit", TPT, Vol. 16, # 2, Feb. 1978, p. 75.

W.L. Lama, R. Jodoin, L. Mandel, "Superradiance in Radiatively Coupled Tuning Forks", AJP, Vol. 40, # 1, Jan. 1972, p. 32.

W- 355: "Tuning Fork - One Time Loaded," DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.

Robert Ehrlich, "Beats Using Two Sound Sources," Turning the World Inside Out, p. 144-145.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille