Soda straws, scissors
Straw

 

Code Number: 3D32.18

Demo Title: Soda Straw Oboe

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Resonance in Pipes

Area of Study: Oscillations & Acoustics

Equipment: 

Soda straws, scissors.

Procedure:

Flatten the end of the soda straw and cut a small slit on each side of the flattened part.  Press between your lips and blow.  A high pitched sound should be heard.  With practice, other pitches may be obtained.

References:

  • Martin Gardner, "A Puzzling Moo Horn", TPT, Vol. 32, #5, May 1994, p. 314.
  • James Vokac and William Blunk, "Soda Straws", TPT, Vol. 23, #9, Dec. 1985, p. 567.
  • "Vibration in Pipes", TPT, Vol. 18, #5, May 1980, p. 383, also A Potpourri of Physics Teaching Ideas - Sounds, p. 253.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "J.6, Snipping a Straw As You Toot", Turn the World Inside Out, p. 133.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Design a Musical Instrument That Can Play Different Pitches", Super Science Challenges, p. 130.
  • "Soda Straw Flute or Oboe", Physics From The Junk Drawer, 3rd Edition, The Science House, North Carolina State University, p. 44.
  • Bobby Mercer, "Straw Oboe", Junk Drawer Physics, p. 55.
  • Herb Strongin, “Making a Straw Change Its Pitch“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 141.