Activities on the Science of Sounds

Sound waves first register when they reach your ears.

Sounds are created when molecules, which are particles everything is made up of, vibrate to create sound waves. The science of sounds is the study of the waves as they travel to your ears. Activities on the science of sounds differ for each school level, but all students will learn something new and fun about sounds.

Elementary School

Younger children benefit from tactile, hands-on learning, and a vibration activity helps children see the effects of sound vibrations. Place an empty metal coffee can with a plastic lid in the center of a table. Place 1/2 tbsp. of small black beans in the center of the plastic lid. Hit the rim of the coffee can with a metal spoon. The energy from the vibrations from the can transfers to the beans, causing them to jump. Before you strike the can, ask pupils what they think will happen. Before introducing this project, bring in instruments, such as guitars and drums, as a reference for sounds.

Middle School

Older children can learn about sound waves by making an instrument. They need to collect five glass water bottles. Old drink bottles with screw-on caps work well with this project. Add 19 oz. water to the first cleaned water bottle. Add 13 oz. to the second bottle. Add 11 oz. to the third bottle, 8 oz. to the fourth bottle and 6 oz. to the fifth bottle. More water in the bottle produces a lower pitch, while less water produces a higher pitch. Strike the bottle in the middle with a metal spoon to hear the sounds. The notes made with the bottles are F, G, A, C and D.

High School

High school students can learn in more depth about the characteristics of different types of waves. With a project using an oscilloscope and a guitar, students can observe the shapes of sound waves produced by the guitar strings. Students coil copper wire with a magnet and connect it to an oscilloscope. Once the guitar strings are plucked, waves are be transmitted into the oscilloscope. Students graph the amplitude, wavelength and frequency of the different strings as seen from the oscilloscope. They also measure and compare ratios of string lengths.

Considerations

Students of all ages will learn about sounds with a trip to a science museum and a visit to an orchestra concert. Younger students may focus on the basic principles of vibrations, while older students can compare waves. Older students can chart the waves of different musical instruments, and younger children should be assigned musical instrument activities. Parents and teachers should consider the ability of the group before giving out activities, and they should first consider activities using household and easy-to-find items.

References

• The NASA SCIence Files: What Is Sound?
• The NASA SCIence Files: Good Vibrations
• Phil Tulga: Water Bottle Xylophone
• Thornwood HIgh School: Guitar Waves

Resources

• Science Museum of Minnesota: Science of Sound: Activities