Terrific Trio

Goldsack and Dr. Marcel Leach spent many years, joined later by a graduate physics student Cindi Kilkenny, investigating the mysterious properties of certain types of sand that cause them to sing, boom, whistle, roar, squeak and bark. Goldsack says, "There are 20 different ways to describe sounds made by sand (in scientific literature)."  Years of research have narrowed down three main criteria necessary to produce the musical sand: the granules must be a certain size range, they have to have a certain surface coating of silica and a certain amount of wetness has to be present.

Sands can consist of different kinds of particles, such as ground rocks or seashells, and is formed over years by the grinding action of waves, wind and other erosive powers. As material is ground up, particles become rounded, almost spherical, and the constant grinding action forms a surface material on the particles. This naturally occurring compound is silica and it is present at a microscopic level on singing sand. Ordinary sand does not have all three of the qualities necessary to have sand that produces sound or music. Some sand materials come from rocks with pure silica content, such as white sand, and are identified as having a particular sound frequency. Browner sand, more often found in deserts, has another frequency, or a loud "booming" quality. If either is entirely dried out, they no longer have the ability to produce sounds. Other factors, such as the presence of pollution, negatively influence the sand's sound production as well. In laboratory environments, other substances, such as rice or tapioca, can mimic the sound-producing qualities of certain sands – but only if the materials have the same traits as the sand. For example, regular General Mills tapioca will not produce sounds even when covered in silica. But microwavable tapioca, because of different water content in the product, will sing.  

Goldsack, Leach and Kilkenny have spent more than 1,000 hours in a lab conducting scientific research, which has led them to believe that musical sand will eventually lead to more practical uses in the future. Goldsack, Leach and Kilkenny speculate that musical sand will be effective in monitoring pollution and also will help keep our environment healthy. By manipulating the silica gel that binds the sand particles, they have been able to make all types of sand, sing, boom, whistle, roar, squeak and bark.