Watch rice grains dance as sound waves travel through the air, making invisible vibrations visible in this exciting demonstration of how sound energy moves.
Rice is a staple food in Caribbean cuisine, from rice and peas to pelau and cook-up rice. Using this familiar ingredient to visualize sound waves connects science to everyday life, helping students see that science is all around them - even in their kitchen!
Dancing Rice is a captivating demonstration that makes invisible sound waves visible. Students watch as rice grains literally "dance" on a stretched surface when sound waves hit it. This activity helps students understand that sound is energy that travels through the air and can make objects move, building foundational understanding of sound wave properties.
Waves, Light & Sound: Sound Energy
Scientific Inquiry: Observation and Experimentation
Use salt, sugar, or small sprinkles instead of rice. Compare which materials dance best!
Try clapping, using a drum, or playing music through a speaker held near the bowl.
Have students hum or sing loudly near the bowl. Can their voice make the rice dance?
Give small groups their own setups with cups and plastic wrap for hands-on exploration.
"Why did the rice jump when we made a sound?"
"What happens when you bang louder? Softer?"
"Why did the rice dance less when we moved farther away?"
"Can you think of other times when sound makes things shake?"
"How is your ear like the plastic wrap?"
