Why Does Filling a Glass Affect Its Sound Wave Pitch?

In summary, when hitting a glass filled with water with a knife, the pitch produced is higher the more water is added. This is because the vibration is caused by the glass itself, and the amount of water affects its resonant frequency. The water acts as a dampener, making only the top portion of the glass vibrate, resulting in a higher pitch similar to a smaller drum or glockenspiel.
  • #1
daniel_i_l
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If you fill a glass with water and hit it on the side with a knife then you get a higher pitch the more you fill it up. Why is this? When you hit the glass you aren't really making the air in the glass vibrate as you do when you blow over the top of a bottle, you're just making the glass vibrate. Maybe the amount of water changes the resonant frequency of the glass itself? Any explanation would be helpful.
Thanks.
 
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  • #2
the glass sets the air in motion, which propagates to our ears.
 
  • #3
daniel_i_l said:
Maybe the amount of water changes the resonant frequency of the glass itself?
That's the answer. The water damps out vibrations , so it is only really the glass above the water that is vibrating. And just like a drum or a glockenspeil, smaller means higher in pitch.
 

Related to Why Does Filling a Glass Affect Its Sound Wave Pitch?

1. Why does filling a glass affect its sound wave pitch?

When a glass is filled with liquid, the mass and density of the glass changes. This change in mass and density affects the way the glass vibrates when struck, resulting in a change in the pitch of the sound produced.

2. How does the amount of liquid in the glass affect the sound wave pitch?

The more liquid that is added to the glass, the heavier and denser it becomes. This increase in mass and density causes the glass to vibrate at a slower rate, resulting in a lower pitch. Conversely, less liquid in the glass means it is lighter and less dense, causing it to vibrate at a faster rate and produce a higher pitch.

3. Does the type of liquid in the glass affect the sound wave pitch?

Yes, the type of liquid in the glass can also affect the sound wave pitch. Different liquids have different densities, which can cause the glass to vibrate at different rates and produce different pitches. For example, water is less dense than syrup, so filling a glass with water will result in a higher pitch than filling it with syrup.

4. Can the shape of the glass also affect the sound wave pitch?

Yes, the shape of the glass can also play a role in the sound wave pitch. Glasses with wider openings or flared shapes will have a lower pitch compared to glasses with narrower openings. This is because the wider the opening, the more air can escape and the slower the glass will vibrate, resulting in a lower pitch.

5. Is there a scientific explanation for why filling a glass affects its sound wave pitch?

Yes, the scientific explanation for this phenomenon lies in the concept of resonant frequency. When a glass is struck, it vibrates at its natural frequency, which is determined by its mass, density, and shape. When liquid is added, it changes these factors and affects the glass's resonant frequency, resulting in a change in pitch. This is similar to how changing the length of a guitar string or the size of a drum affects their respective pitches.

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