Singing Fountain - Physics Demonstrations - Singing Fountain | Physics Undergraduate Labs

Purpose

Rubbing the handles of a water-filled bronze bowl excites resonant vibrations that produce audible tones and dramatic standing wave patterns in the water. Students observe acoustic resonance, normal modes, and parametric excitation of Faraday waves.

Green patina bronze singing bowl with Greek key pattern on rim, two brass handles, filled with water, sitting on bubble wrap

Hands rubbing brass handles of the singing bowl, water surface showing standing wave ripple patterns

Hands rubbing bowl handles with water showing vigorous splashing and fountain effect from higher-mode excitation

Figure 1: Chinese singing fountain bowl filled with water, showing the decorated rim and brass handles used to excite resonant vibrations.

Figure 2: Rubbing the handles excites the fundamental mode, producing standing wave patterns visible on the water surface.

Figure 3: Higher harmonics excited by faster rubbing produce the fountain effect, with water droplets ejected at the antinodes of the standing wave pattern.

Chinese Singing Fountain Bowl

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