Light Modulator

Any electromagnetic wave can be changed or 'modulated' in order to carry information. In the case of radio waves, if we change the amplitude of the carrier wave we get amplitude modulation (or AM radio) and if the modulate the frequency, we get FM radio. This science kit demonstrates that you can modulate light (which is also part of the electromagnetic spectrum of course) in order to carry a signal.
The torch or flashlight is the 'transmitter' and has a cable connected to it with a 3.5mm jack at the end. You need to plug this into the headphone socket of any sound source, such as a mobile phone or MP3 player. Although it is not visible to the eye, the amplitude of the light beam is now being 'modulated' by whatever you are using as your sound source.
Switch on the 'receiver' and shine the light onto the solar panel on the front. The receiver will decode the modulated light beam, and play the audio signal out of the integrated loudspeaker. Magic!

[KaNawogirusa]

The song is an Argentinian tango from Julio Sosa called Nada ya me alejo de tu casa

[neelamsingh]

Would work great for a horror movie.
A clueless character timidly lights a torch towards it and scares the living daylights out of themselves.

[pepperonipizza]

Tim warps time and space to make bricks play music.

[celesefernal]

Yes, though the idea is old Tim has brought it to the worlds attention by putting what would have been quite a sciency/nerdy concept onto a public platform and thus educating a much wider range of audiences.

[superscienceshow]

Radio waves and visible light are the same thing. Great demonstration.

[Luchoedge]

I recognize that tune!

Nada, nada queda de tu casa natal...
Solo telaranas que teje el yuyal.
El rosal tampoco existe
Y es seguro que se ha muerto al irte tu.
Todo es una cruz!

It's "Nada" from Julio Sosa.

Cheers from Argentina!

[jugueteshechosamano]

jamas imagine escuchar un tango para ilustar la demostración del funcionamiento de tal artilugio. great light modulator, great Tim youtuber, great music

[WILLNOTCOMPLY]

Why do I want to give Tim a huge hug every time I watch these!! Such an awesome lovable guy!

[theheroneededwillette]

That could definitely be useful for practical applications in stuff like shows or maybe theme parks.

[stathischarpidis]

I have builded the same thing 12 years ago by mistake, 😄 then i have improved it and left it on the shelf . I couldn’t imagine that they will be selling this 12 years later 😄

[QuizMasterEntertainment]

glad to hear my local traditional music in such a smart video.
imagine this for security purposes, a lock that only opens when flashed by a light having a specific frequency, that would be really hard to crack

[Coppersulfate]

1:35 this basicly cure my depresstion he look like he is full of joy and wisdom he look so happy

[Henyx]

I swear man, I wish I was able to visit this man's home and have him show me EVERY single item in his possession. It would be so awesome, but I know it's never gonna happen. Still tho, one can dream of course!

[camiloarasunucalarco]

Tim! Genio absoluto! Te sigo desde hace anios, no imaginaba que escucharias tango Argentina!!! Te mando un abrazo de hermandad!

[nobigdeal]

This is the first time I’m really interested in something, it is the principle of infrared but in this chase more detailed on the wave and you are a Genius I see all your video and is more than what you expect This is how the past can be a good future!

[TheRealDoctorBonkus]

"An extraordinary simple torch". Oh, my goodness me indeed.

[mechamax]

it turns light, INTO SOUND! this is quite impressive!

[Juliayt]

Same can be done with water. We did this in physics class. Run a thin stream of water onto a metal plate and run soundwaves thru the stream to break it up into dropplets. As it rains down onto the metal plate the pitter patter sounds distinctly like music.

[ianweis]

Thanks, Tim. Neat video. But based on some of the comments I'm reading, I feel like a lot of people are ENTIRELY misunderstanding what is happening here...

[Joso]

I wonder what sound would you get when holding it near fire