Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Ruben's or Flame Tube 

Name: Elie
Status: student
Grade: 9-12
Location: CA
Country: USA
Date: Winter 2011-2012
Question:
How does a Ruben's Tube work? Why does the flame respond to sound? Can sound also work to move water?
Replies:
Elie

Don't try this without responsible adult supervision:

This explains the Ruben Tube:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubens%27_tube

Doing a Google Search for "Ruben's Tube" also provides this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpCquUWqaYw

Essentially, sound waves are variations of air pressure. The air pressure variations concentrates or thins the pressure of propane gas in the slotted pipe. The propane gas pressure variations is manifested by tall or short flames along the pipe Revealing the standing audio/propane waves in the pipe.

Sincere regards, Mike Stewart

Click here to return to the Physics Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory