Science Secrets · Drawing 14 of 40
A Telephone Made of String
Light and Sound
Your voice makes the cup’s base vibrate. The taut string carries vibrations to the other cup. Your friend can then hear the message. Hello!
Did you know?
The string needs to stay taut to carry the vibrations well.
Look together
Where does the string meet each cup?
An idea to try
An adult prepares two cups joined by string. Speak gently, then compare taut and slack string.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
A string telephone transmits vibrations mechanically, without an electric circuit. The string attaches to the cup bases and does not touch furniture.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Simplified scene and shapes. Models, imagined comparisons and enlargements do not preserve all real measurements.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Science World: Telephone LinesYour voice makes the cup’s base vibrate. The taut string carries vibrations to the other cup. Your friend can then hear the message. Hello!
Source review: 2026-10-12. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
