PURPOSE: To demonstrate standing sound waves in air excited by convection currents.
DESCRIPTION: A large, hollow glass tube has a wire gauze screen inserted part way from the end. Insert a bunsen burner into the tube to heat the gauze to red hot. Remove the burner and convection currents in the tube will cause a loud roar. If the tube is turned sideways the roar will cease. It will resonate at the fundamental frequency determined by its length.
This is also knwn as the Rijke tube.
EQUIPMENT: Hoot tube, as photographed.
Updated by Jun Qi in 4/5/2000