On sounding a note nearly in unison with a tube containing a silent flame, the flame jumps; and if the position of the flame in the tube be rightly chosen, the extraneous sound will cause the flame to sing.
While the flame is singing, a note nearly in unison with its own produces beats, and the flame is seen to jump in synchronism with the beats. The jumping is also observed when the position of the flame within its tube is not such as to enable it to sing.
NAKED FLAMES
When the pressure of the gas which feeds a naked flame is augmented, the flame, up to a certain point, increases in size. But if the pressure be too great, the flame roars or flares.
The roaring or flaring of the flame is caused by the state of vibration into which the gas is thrown in the orifice of the burner, when the pressure which urges it through the orifice is excessive.
If the vibrations in the orifice of the burner be super-induced by an extraneous sound, the flame will flare under a pressure less than that which, of itself, would produce flaring.
The gas under excessive pressure has vibrations of a definite period impressed upon it as it passes through the burner. To operate with a maximum effect upon the flame the external sound must contain vibrations synchronous with those of the issuing gas.
When such a sound is chosen, and when the flame is brought sufficiently near its flaring-point, it furnishes an acoustic reagent of unexampled delicacy.
At a distance of 30 yards, for example, the chirrup of a house-sparrow would be competent to throw the flame into commotion.