Take the tour ×  I'm a software programmer (not a physics
expert) trying out a smartphone vibration detection algorithm on
desks, and I want to measure the impact of the desk's material
features on the algorithm. Are there canonical measurements for
desk density, rigidity, etc. that will affect vibrations?
Intuitively, I'm guessing a metal desktop surface will transmit
vibrations more than a wood one.  If there is some measurement
device, like a stud finder, that would be great.  share|improve
this question You should clarify a bit about what sort of
vibrations and vibration propagation you're trying to detect.
That is, are you wondering what the effect of the phone
vibrating well have on the desk or the other way around? – 
Brandon Enright May 1 at 20:34 Per my comment above, in either
case I think you should look into the speed and attenuation of
sound waves in a given material because that's likely to be
quite similar to vibrations to / from a smart phone. This might
help: kayelaby.npl.co.uk/general_physic