A simulator of Chladni figures, the patterns that sand forms on a vibrating plate. 20,000 particles settle along the nodal lines, the places where the plate stands still.
Adjust the modes (N and M) and their weights to see the nodal patterns, or pick a preset: Classic (3, 2), Star (4, 2), Complex (5, 3), Grid (6, 6), Circular (7, 1) or Asymmetric (8, 3). The Randomizer cycles through different resonances automatically. The generator also takes microphone input and a webcam feed, and exports the pattern as a PNG.
The figures are named after Ernst Chladni, who described them in 1787.
An experiment by vincent.works, made by Vincent Venema, freelance creative director.