SOUND VIBRATIONS SCIENCE MODULE
PURPOSE
To demonstrate how sound travels.
MATERIALS
• Slinky
• Guitar or Ukulele
• Balloon
• Pipes (2 or 3 lengths)
• Plastic Ruler
• Whistle
METHOD
Talk about waves that make sound using the slinky. Stretch it out and move one end suddenly sideways a transverse wave will move to the other end.
Repeat to get a standing wave, then show faster waves (higher frequency). Show compression waves (move the slinky in and out). And explain this is really what sound waves are. Pop the balloon, as the compressed air rushes into the room, we hear the noise. Hold the ruler against the desk and flip it at various lengths to demonstrate different frequencies. Blow a whistle, the moving air oscillates across the sharp edge. Have the class sing, have them describe how they make high and low notes. Show some musical instruments. - Strings vibrate
- Vibrations set up by lips in pipes
- Xylophones vibrate
DISCUSSION
Sound is compression vibrations in the air vibrating at hundreds of vibrations a second, faster is higher, slower is lower.
