3D40.70 • Theremin
Location: Cabinet 5
Photo shows the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin.
Photo shows the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin.
Concepts Conveyed:
- One antenna controls the pitch, while another controls the volume.
- Theremins sense capacitance, and by moving your hand closer to the antenna, you increase capacitance. The closer you are to the antenna, the more electric fields build up. The further your hand is, the weaker the electric fields are and less capacitance.
- Capacitors store energy in the form of an electric field between their plates. Your hand in this case is one plate of the capacitor and the antenna acts as the other plate.
Instructions / Notes:
- Turn on the switch (battery), then move your hand away and towards each antenna.
Demo Staff:
- Place one antenna in J3 (pitch antenna)
- Place second antenna in A2 (volume antenna)
- Note: for the battery, the red wire should be on the left and black wire on the right
Last updated on April 25, 2025