What is Cymatics?
Cymatics (from Greek ΞΊαΏ¦ΞΌΞ±, meaning "wave") is the physical visualization of sound and acoustic vibration. Pioneered by Ernst Chladni (1787) and Dr. Hans Jenny (1967), it reveals how standing acoustic waves organize granular matter into profound geometric archetypes.
Mathematical Foundation
On a 2D vibrating thin plate of length L, standing wave displacement Ψ(x,y) satisfies the biharmonic plate equation:
Ψ(x, y) = a · cos(nπx / L) cos(mπy / L) − b · cos(mπx / L) cos(nπy / L)
For circular membranes, the nodal lines follow Bessel functions of the first kind Jn(kr):
Ψ(r, θ) = Jn(kn,m r) · cos(nθ + φ)
How the Simulation Works
Thousands of physical particles experience an acoustic radiation force F = -α∇(Ψ2) + Fjitter. Particles are continuously kicked away from high-energy antinodes and settle stably along nodal lines (Ψ = 0) where vibration is zero.
Keyboard Shortcuts
- Space β Freeze / Resume simulation
- C β Clear plate & redistribute particles
- S β Save high-resolution PNG snapshot
- R β Start / Stop video recording
- M β Toggle live microphone input
- 3 β Toggle 3D Topographical View
- 1 - 6 β Switch Control Tabs