Sound Science!!!!!!
We are studying the science behind sound!
Sound works using PHYSICS. Physics is the study of what makes things work on the smallest level....MOLECULES!
Molecules make up all matter in the universe. They make up the lights on this screen, the air we breathe, and we water we drink!
Molecules make up all matter in the universe. They make up the lights on this screen, the air we breathe, and we water we drink!
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Sound is created when a object vibrates. These vibrations travel in waves.
A perfect example of these waves is like when you throw a rock into the water and the ripples all spread out in every direction. __________________________________________ As the energy from the splash moves outward from the center, it pushes the water molecules against each other causing them to become closer (compression) and then spread apart (expansion). This creates the waves that you see in the water. Watch this video to see this in action! <<<<<<<<<<<<< |
The same idea works with sound! When you cause something to vibrate, like when your vocal cords when you sing, the vibrating energy from your vocal cords bumps against the air molecules pushing them out of your mouth, which amplifies the sound, and in all directions at once.
Here is what your voice looks like on the inside!! Your vocal cords are two small muscles that vibrate together at different speeds in order to create different pitches and you use your lips and tongue to form words. |
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Seeing Sound!
So unless you are a student in Miss. Frizzle's class from the Magic School Bus, we cannot see sound waves. We CAN however use tools like an Oscilloscope to help us visualize them on a screen!
On the right, you will see what an oscilloscope looks like! >>>>>
The different buttons and knobs are used to adjust the amplitudes, frequency, and wavelength so that scientists can see how the wave changes as small modifications are made! They can also be used to move the wave around on the screen to take different measurements, slow down or pause the wave and find ways to use these waves in various other experiments such as "How do microscopic organisms react when exposed to high frequency sound waves?" |
Click here to use the Virtual Oscilloscope! |
At Home Observation!If your computer has a microphone built in, try out the virtual Oscilliscope! Make sure to have the setting sellected like in the picture below and have fun exploring the different kinds of waves objects can create!!
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Online Tone Generator.Visit this online tone generator and test your family's range of hearing.
The tone generator creates a pitch based on the Hertz per second rather than a single set pitch. You can adjust the pitch by moving the slider left and right on the screen or by using the keyboard arrows. Test your range of hearing at home! In a quiet room with a pair of headphones in and making sure that the volume isn't too loud (gotta protect those eardrums!), turn on the generator and slowly raise the pitch from 440 Hz until you can no longer hear it. Then reset to 440 Hz and try going as low as you can until you cannot hear it anymore. Try it out with everyone in your house and see where everyone stacks up! *ALWAYS use caution when using headphones and other audio enhancers. Make sure to start volume on LOW and gradually increase until it becomes comfortable to prevent hearing loss or damage* |
*DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A TEST TO CHECK FOR DEAFNESS OR HEARING LOSS. THIS IS ONLY INTENDED FOR EXPLORATION PURPOSES AND IS NOT A VALID MEDICAL EXAM. If you feel that you may need assistance with hearing loss please seek a medical professional. *
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EXPERIMENTS YOU CAN DO AT HOME!!!!
Ear Drum Experiment
In this experiment you will be creating a "Timpanic Membrane" or "Ear Drum" that you can see with your own eyes!! Things you will need;
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STEP 1
- Place your bowl on a large plate. - Take some of the CLING WRAP and cover the top of the bowl with 1 layer and make sure it is stretched nice and tight. - Use the RUBBER BAND to keep it tight. |
STEP 3
- Find something to hit like the bottom of a metal pot, or get close to the bowl and sing. - If you place two earbuds on the top, facedown, you can see the vibrations also!! - Observe the Salt/Dry Rice and see what it does!!! |
STEP 2
- Pour a little bit of the SALT or DRY RICE onto the top of the bowl |