The University of Iowa

Department of Physics & Astronomy

Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

Brass sirens

Brass sirens

Code Number: 3C20.35

Demo Title: Sirens

Condition: Good

Principle: Frequency of Sound Waves

Area of Study: Oscillations &Acoustics

Equipment:

Home-made siren (galvanized), Brass sirens (2).

Procedure:

The brass sirens need to be lightly oiled on occasion and run on a very limited air flow

References:

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "The Siren", TPT, Vol. 42, # 7, Oct. 2004, p. 418.
Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Siren", AJP, Vol. 93, 36, June 2025, p. 510.
Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Sirens", AJP, Vol. 91, #4, April 2023, p. 306.
George M. Hopkins, "Sound", Experimental Science, p. 169.
John Henry Pepper, "Sensitive Flames", Cyclopadic Science Simplified, p. 493.
1.18: Charles Taylor, The Art and Science of Lecture Demonstration, p. 37- 40.
Joseph Frick, "#145 - The Siren", Physical Technics: Or, Practical Instructions for Making Experiments in Physics and the Construction of Physical Apparatus with the Most Limited Means", p. 171.
Gerard L' E Turner, Nineteenth-Century Scientific Instruments, p. 136.

3C20.35 - Sirens

Disclaimer

These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.