These are chladni patterns. I've also seen these as well when I'm doing woodworking, especially if I have to cut stuff like long pieces of trim and plywood sheets on a table saw or if I'm using the scroll saw. The cutting process is causing vibrational movmement on the wood and with some standing waves. The saw dust is knocked out of the area where it has the greatest amount of vibration, but settles in the nodes (lease amount of vibration).
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From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu on behalf of LaMontagne, Bob
Sent: Fri 11/13/2009 11:43 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] What's happening here?
I think I see the face of Jesus.
Bob at PC
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From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Josh Gates [jgates@tatnall.org]
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 8:24 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: [Phys-l] What's happening here?
Hi everyone,
After I finished working with a benchtop scroll saw, I noticed this
pattern in the sawdust on the work bench. The saw vibrates quite a bit,
so I'm pretty confident that the vibration is the root cause, but I
don't quite get why this apparent fractal pattern emerged. Ideas? http://imagecloset.com/tiny/874159
Josh
--
Joshua Gates
Physics Faculty
Tatnall School - Wilmington DE
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth