Things Required:
Tuning fork
Cup filled with water
Magic Words:
While striking a tuning fork, hit it against a solid but padded object. Knees, elbows, cloth-covered furniture or carpeted floors work great. Try not to hit the fork against hard, unpadded objects. A hard strike might bend or distort the shape of the tuning fork. If this happens, the tuning fork may change its vibration and produce a note of different pitch or less volume.
Directions:
Firmly hold the tuning fork by its handle. Strike one of the double ends against your knee or padded surface. Keep holding the handle. Do you hear the note? Strike the fork again. Is the note the same or different?
Fill a cup with water. Strike the tuning fork against your knee. Slowly, bring the vibrating ends to the surface of the water. Touch these ends to the surface of the water. What do you observe?
