Monday, 28 May 2012

"Seeing" and "Hearing" Sound

Big Idea: Sound travels as one of two kinds of waves - compression and transverse. Here we are using a big "slinky" to see the waves:


Using singing rods we attempted to create a demonstration of how compression waves can be amplified in a metal rod by stroking the rod with our fingers and a little pine sap to set up a standing wave.  We weren't successful, however, and will need some more practice to make it work!


Big Idea: Sound waves can be transmitted through solids, liquids and gases.  We found that sound was loudest and clearest through a solid (sugar crystals) vs air and water.


Then we discovered that you can make a very LOUD GONG sound by using a metal spoon to tap a wire hanger attached with string to a paper cup at your ear.


Big Idea: Playing with sound can very entertaining!  Especially using soup-can telephones:


and boom whackers!  This is our rendition of "Mary Had a Little Lamb":



And then a little snuggle to finish off the afternoon ....




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