Frequency and Transmission Intensity in a Can-Telephone

Abstract

A can-telephone is a device consisting of two cans connected by a string through each base. The relationship between the input frequency and the intensity of the transmitted sound was investigated. Frequencies from 230 to 1370 Hz were tested. The system was found to follow the properties of a simple harmonic oscillator in relation to intensity and frequency, causing the maximum transmitted intensity to appear when the input frequency was close to the resonant frequency of the bases of the cans.