Sand can draw the still places on a ringing metal plate — ChillScroll

Pale sand forming a symmetrical pattern on a square brass plate

Sand can draw the still places on a ringing metal plate

When a metal plate vibrates at one of its natural tones, some lines barely move. Fine sand jumps away from the moving areas and gathers along those still lines, forming a Chladni pattern.

The plate rings; the sand quietly draws the sound.

Source · Harvard Natural Sciences Lecture Demonstrations ↗