Wine Glass Resonance

Resonance between two wine glasses causes vibrations moving the match stick. Classes Used: Phys 341, SCIENCE ONE

waves, resonance

Online Video links: Video 1 Video 2

To demonstrate that two glasses tuned to the same tone will vibrate together even though only one is played.

Two or more glass goblets, water, toothpick or match stick

• Two glasses are filled with the same amount of water.

• Place the glasses side by side so that at the closest point they are approximately 1cm apart (a little less is even better as long as they do not touch).

• The match stick is balanced along the rim of one of the glasses.

• Wet a fingertip and rub it around the edge of the other glass to create a tone.