Chinese bonze bells may have been used as a standard way to measure grain. Noblemen matched their bells’ tones to those of their lords. The bells were shaped something like scoops. Could they have been giant measuring cups?

Try this experiment to see how the idea works:

You and your partner need:

• 6 glasses, two each of 3 different sizes, (the pairs of glasses should match exactly and all should be made of glass) a paper or cardboard divider so you can’t see each other’s experiment during the trials,
• 2 metal spoons
• 2 measuring cups
• 2 pitchers of water.

1. Set up three glasses (one from each of the matched pairs) on each side of the divider. A student works on either side of the divider. Don’t peek!
2. One student rings a glass with his or her spoon. The other student rings all three glasses to find the one that SOUNDS the SAME.
3. When you have decided your glasses sound alike, fill each glass with water. Measure the water. Is the amount the same?
4. Now show each other the glasses you chose. Do they match?
5. Repeat twice more. Write down your results.

Try the experiment again with more glasses. Can you think of some qualities that make the sounds of the glasses change?

Copyright 2008 - 2010 by Suzanne Morgan Williams