Simple flute making and investigation

[ravi312 (Ravi)]

Simple Flute

Do you know you can make a simple flute by using a straw! Here are some of the designs to do the same.

(image credits: Arvind Gupta toys)

How to make?

• Using plastic straw Link
• Using paper Link

How to measure the frequency of sound produced using a smartphone?

Now that you know how to make the flute, you can also measure the frequency of the sound produced using the smartphones. There are many different apps which can be used to do the same. To name a few:

• science journal
• gStrings
• DaTuner Lite

Here is an example of sample reading obtained by light whistling using using science journal application,

After this, several experiments can be designed around this. Here is journal note to study the variation of pitch of the sound with the straw length.

Here are some more investigative prompts:

Investigation prompts

What will happen to the pitch of the sound if you change the diameter of the straw?
What will happen to the pitch of the sound if you change the material of the straw?
What will happen to the pitch of the sound if you change the thickness of the straw?
Will there be a change in the pitch observed, if you measure it using different smartphones models? Why?
Will there be a change in the pitch observed, if you measure it during summer as compared to winters?
Will there be a change in the pitch observed, if you measure it on the top of Mt. Everest as compared to near the bottom?
How do you think the sound is produced in the flute?

References

arvind gupta toys (Toys from Trash)

[singh (Mriginder Singh)]

@ravi312

What will happen to the pitch of the sound if you change the length of the straw?

Increase in length would decrease there pitch and vice versa.

@ravi312

What will happen to the pitch of the sound if you change the diameter of the straw?

If the length remains the same, increase in the diameter will lead to decrease in the pitch.

@ravi312

What will happen to the pitch of the sound if you change the material of the straw?

Pitch would remain the same but the tonal quality would change.

@ravi312

What will happen to the pitch of the sound if you change the thickness of the straw?

Theoretically no difference. But thicker material would changed the sound signature of the flute.

@ravi312

Will there be a change in the pitch observed, if you measure it using different smartphones models? Why?

Theoretically no. But smart phone sensors may vary.

@ravi312

Will there be a change in the pitch observed, if you measure it during summer as compared to winters?

It’s possible for stringed instruments where thermal expansion could play a role. But shouldn’t affect even a steel flute.

@ravi312

Will there be a change in the pitch observed, if you measure it on the top of Mt. Everest as compared to near the bottom?

Well, we’ll have to try that , but no difference.

@ravi312

How do you think the sound is produced in the flute?

Friction of the blown air with the edge of the blowing hole.

I hope I’ve done it correctly.

[ravi312 (Ravi)]

@singh

It’s possible for stringed instruments where thermal expansion could play a role. But shouldn’t affect even a steel flute.

This is interesting. Thermal expansion of the source is another factor to look at. Can you elaborate on this? Also, isn’t the temperature of surrounding air results in the variation in the pitch of the sound which will be produced?

[singh (Mriginder Singh)]

@ravi312

Can you elaborate on this?

An experiment is underway. Please wait for results

[singh (Mriginder Singh)]

@ravi312

Also, isn’t the temperature of surrounding air results in the variation in the pitch of the sound which will be produced?

Effect of Thermal Expansion on the pitch of Steel/Bamboo Flute and Guitar

Yes, it does!

[anitashimle99 (Rock)]

what i do in this game i does’nt understand

[jtd (Jude T Dsouza)]

Make a flute and see if it’s sound changes with temperature.
Make a string musical instrument and see if its sound changes with temperature.