Spirograph unit
Laser

 

Code Number: 3A80.40/9C40.60

Demo Title: Lissajous Figures - Laser and 3 Mirrors

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Lissajous Figures

Area of Study: Oscillations & Acoustics

Equipment: 

Spirograph unit, Laser.

Procedure:

The Spirograph will give Lissajous figures if you use only two of the motors.  Adjusting the motor speeds will give a variety of figures.  The bean bags are for vibration control.

References:

  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "A Simple Lissajous Figure Device", TPT, Vol. 62, #3, March 2024, p. 194.
  • Shiqi Zhao, Yongping Sun, Wei Zhang, "A Low-Cost Device to Demonstrate Simple Harmonic Motion", TPT, Vol. 61, #5, May 2023, p. 406.
  • Aurelio Agliolo Gallitto, Onofrio Rosario Battaglia, Giuseppe Cavallaro, Giuseppe Lazzara, Lorenzo Lisuzzo, Claudio Fazio, "Exploring Historical Scientific Instruments by Using Mobile Media Devices", TPT, Vol. 60, #3, March 2022, p. 202.
  • John A. Daffron and Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "A Reproduction Lissajous Figure Machine", TPT, Vol. 56, #7, Oct. 2018, p. 428.
  • William Reitz, "Two Sound Ideas", TPT, Vol. 55, #6, Sept. 2017, p. 378.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "The Scientific Legacy of Charles Wheatstone", TPT, Vol. 55, #2, Feb. 2017, p. 80.
  • John A. Daffron and Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Modern Kaleidophones", TPT, Vol. 53, #7, Oct. 2015, p. 407.
  • Keith Bellof, "Mini-Laser Spirograph", TPT, Vol. 42, #8, Nov. 2004, p. 504.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Devices to Illustrate Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 41, #6, Sept. 2003, p. 351.
  • George Schuttinger, "Laser Light Show - Wet and Wild" and "Laser Light Show - Quick and Clean", TPT, Vol. 31, #6, Sept. 1993, p. 375, and referenced in Resource Letter TLC-1 Teaching Light and Color, Demonstration Experiments Resource Articles.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, "All About Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 31, #6, Sept. 1993, p. 364.
  • K. David Pinkerton, "Laser Light Fantastic Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 29, #3, Mar. 1991, p. 168.
  • Chris Chiaverina, "A Laser Spirograph for Under $3", TPT, Vol. 28, #9, Dec. 1990, p. 606.
  • John M. D'Mura, "Three-Dimensional Lissajous Figures",  TPT, Vol. 27, #2, Feb. 1989, p. 98.
  • Richard B. Minnix and D. Rae Carpenter, Jr., "A Laser Spirograph", TPT, Vol. 20, #6, Sept. 1982, p. 415.
  • Michael H. Reifer and Robert B. Prigo, "Mirror Mounting for Projecting Laser Lissajous Figures", TPT, Vol. 20, #5, May 1982, p. 334.
  • Y. P. Hwu, "Simplified Simple Harmonic Motion by a Soap Film", TPT, Vol. 17, #9, Dec. 1979, p. 593.
  • Tom Campbell, "Projection of Lissajous Figures Using a Laser", TPT, Vol. 10, #5, May 1972, p. 283.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Lissajous Figure Device", AJP, Vol. 92, #7, July 2024, p. 510.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Tuning Forks for Lissajous Figures", AJP, Vol. 91, #10, Oct. 2023, p. 775.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Lissajous Figures Demonstration (Photo)", AJP, Vol. 72, #10, Oct. 2004, p. 1275.
  • Robert J. Whitaker, "The Wheatstone Kaleidophone", AJP, Vol. 61, #8, Aug. 1993, p. 722.
  • Julius Sumner Miller, "Lissajous Figures in Melde's Experiment", AJP, Vol. 19, #4, Apr. 1951, p. 248.
  • S-le: Wallace A. Hilton, "Lissajous Figures", Physics Demonstration Experiments.
  • C. L. Stong, "Water Droplets That Float on Water, and Lissajous Figures Made with a Pendulum", The Amateur Scientist, August, 1973.
  • George M. Hopkins, "Composition of Vibrations", Experimental Science, p. 136.
  • T. Kallard, "Visual Display of Sound Dynamics", Exploring Laser Light, p. 50.
  • T. Kallard, "Spirograph", Exploring Laser Light, p. 46.
  • Mark Frauenfelder, "Living Room Laser Show", Mad Professor - Concoct Extremely Weird Science Projects, ISBN 0-8118-3554-5, p. 66.
  • Gordon McComb, "The Old-Rubber-Sheet-Over-The-Speaker Trick", Lasers, Ray Guns, & Light Cannons, p. 279.
  • K. D. Fuller, "Laser Lissajous Figures", p. 67.
  • Brian Jones and Matt Fackelman, "Laser Spirograph", Don't Forget the Duct Tape, p. 69 - 72.
  • Brian Jones and Matt Fackelman, "Laser Bongo", Don't Forget the Duct Tape, p. 65 - 68.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, “Dancing Music“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 310.