Adam Cole is the science fanatic behind NPR’s popular science blog Skunk Bear. In a recent post, Cole wondered if he could use a technique known as Schlieren Flow Visualization to see sound.
The answer was a resounding YES! And the video below shows the fascinating results. Also included: a diagram of how Schlieren Flow Visualization works and animated gifs (from the video) that show what different sounds look like.
[via Skunk Bear]
How the Schlieren Flow Visualization Works
Diagram by Adam Cole @ Skunk Bear
Seeing Sound with Animated Gifs
Clapping Hands
Schlieren images by Mike Hargather
A Firecracker
Schlieren images by Mike Hargather
A Falling Book
Schlieren images by Mike Hargather
Whipping a Frayed Towel
Schlieren images by Mike Hargather
A Speaker (10Hz tone over 100 decibels)
Schlieren images by Mike Hargather
A Gunshot (bullet faster than speed of sound!)
Schlieren images by Mike Hargather
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