Sometimes I need a science experiment that is simple to set up, simple to do and easy to clean up. This experiment is all that and more. It only requires two items (wine glass and water) and it can provide a long amount of fun for kids.

Mine had fun seeing who could make the loudest sound and tested how the pitch of the sound was impacted by the amount of water we put in the glass.

I hope you enjoy the experiment as much as we did.

Singing Glass Science Experiment Video

Singing Glass Science Experiment

Supplies Needed

A glass with a stem (any shape or size of wine glass will work)
Water

Experiment Instructions

Step 1 – Start with an empty glass that has a stem. Any shape or size of wine glass will work.

Step 2 – Fill the glass with water. We filled it a little more than 1/2 way full. You can experiment with different amounts of water because the quantity of water impacts the pitch of the sound.

Step 3 – Get the tip of your finger wet.

Step 4 – Hold the base of the glass stem with one hand (so it doesn’t fall over) and slowly and steadily move your wet fingertip around the rim of the glass. It make take some practice, but after awhile you should hear a singing noise.

How Does the Experiment Work?

The singing sound is caused because the glass vibrates as your fingers movers around the rim. The sound that is causes will vary based on the size and shape of the glass and the amount of water you put in it.

I hope you enjoyed the experiment. Here’s some printable instructions

Singing Glass Science Experiment

Materials

A glass with a stem (any shape or size of wine glass will work)
Water

Instructions

Start with an empty glass that has a stem. Any shape or size of wine glass will work.
Fill the glass with water. We filled it a little more than 1/2 way full. You can experiment with different amounts of water because the quantity of water impacts the pitch of the sound.
Get the tip of your finger wet.
Hold the base of the glass stem with one hand (so it doesn’t fall over) and slowly and steadily move your wet fingertip around the rim of the glass. It make take some practice, but after awhile you should hear a singing noise.