08. Travelling sound

How well do sounds travel through the different states of matter?

You are going to find out if sound travels best through a solid, a liquid or a gas using the apparatus provided.

Make sure that the earpieces in the stethoscope are kept very clean, or use disposable earpieces. Use only soft sounds in this investigation. Loud sounds can damage your ears.

Apparatus

• stethoscope

• 2 pieces of wood

• tank of water

1. MethodHow will you use the pieces of wood to produce sounds?

2. How will you listen to the sounds?

3. How will you record how well you can hear the sounds that are produced?

Recording your results

4. Draw a table to record your results.

Considering your results/conclusions

5. Through which material could you hear the sound best?

6. Through which material could you hear the sound least well?

7. What do your results tell you about the speed of sound in different states of matter?

Evaluating

8. Which variables were difficult to control in your investigation?

9. How could you improve your investigation? Give reasons for your suggested changes.