Observing Density Through Standing Waves

This piece explores the way in which sound is affected by the density of the medium in which it is being produced, and the resulting effects on the pitch of the sound. Four different tubes are used, filled with mediums of different densities: air, sunflower oil, water and shampoo. Microphones are fitted at the bottom of each tube, which are connected to a speaker at the top of the tube. This produces a continuous feedback loop and creates a standing wave inside the tube. The pitch of this standing wave depends on the density of the medium; dense molecular structures vibrate at slower speeds and produce lower frequencies.

 It was exhibited at Audiograft from the 14 to the 19 February 2011 and at the Global Composition conference in Darmstadt, Germany between 25 - 28 July 2012.