Funny Noises (Super Science Experiments)

You will need:

1. Coffee mug
2. Pen

Hear a simple coffee mug emanate different noises based on where you hit it.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Take a coffee mug and place it on any surface in front of you in such a way that the handle is on the right.
2. Now, taking your pen hit the side of the mug first at 90° and then in line with the handle.
3. The noise made by the
   cup would be the same.
4. Next hit the cup at 45° and 135° from the handle.
5. The noise now made by the cup will be at a higher pitch than before. Why?

RESULT

When you hit the mug initially at 90° or in line with the handle, the mug is compressed by the vibrations caused through the mug. These vibrations cause the shape of the mug to become oval before it returns to its normal state. This happens all too quickly for the human eye to see. Since the handle is in line with the vibration it too vibrates, making the pitch emanating to be lower. When we hit the mug at a 45° or 135°, the compression caused due to the vibration also makes the mug slightly oval-shaped before returning to normal. But the vibration does not include the handle, thereby making the pitch higher.