Everyday material
Paper cup
A light container with a surface that can move, vibrate, and cast shadows.
Get to know it
A clean, dry paper cup can help make small vibrations easier to notice. The bottom may act as a vibrating surface in a string telephone. Size, coatings, and damage change how the cup responds. Compare two different cups while keeping the string and distance similar.
What happens if…
- Where can you feel the vibration?
- Does a bigger cup change what you hear?