Sound Waves

Introduction:

Mr. Driese, Stevens Middle School Para educator and musician, will provide an introduction to sound waves and amplification using his guitar.

Part 1: Bill Nye Sound

Watch the Bill Nye Sound movie (season 1, episode 12).

Complete the Bill Nye Sound assignment sheet.

Part 2: Sound Waves Simulation

Play the PHET Sound Waves Simulation.

Complete the Sound Waves assignment sheet.

Part 3: Oscilloscope

  1. Open "Audacity" program: From Windows Explorer, go to "This PC" (or My Computer) / Stevens Middle School Share / (Lieberman) / Energy / Audacity and then click the Audacity program (if you cannot find the program, download Audacity here and install it).

  2. From the top menu bar, click "Tracks" --> "Add New" --> "Mono Track".

  3. From the top menu bar, click "Generate" --> "Tone" --> "Waveform: Sine," then set frequency to 440 and amplitude to 0.8 and click "OK."

    1. Find the + magnifying glass and click it multiple times until you can see a wave pattern.

  4. Press the green arrow play button (make sure your computer's sound is turned up), then make a labeled diagram and answer the question on your Sound Waves assignment sheet.

  5. Repeat step 3, but before clicking "OK," set the frequency to 880 and the amplitude to 0.8. Make a labeled diagram and answer the question on your Sound Waves assignment sheet.

  6. Repeat step 3, but before clicking "OK," set the frequency to 880 and the amplitude to 0.4. Make a labeled diagram and answer the question on your Sound Waves assignment sheet.

  7. Click the "X" in the upper left corner of the audio track you have been working with.

  8. Click the red circle record button, and sing or speak in a high pitch (high note) while facing the computer.

  9. Repeat steps 4-5 (you may have to scroll left or right to be able to zoom in on the section with your voice). Make a labeled diagram and answer the question on your Sound Waves assignment sheet.

  10. Repeat steps 8-10 with a low pitch (low note).

  11. Repeat steps 8-10 singing or speaking in any (school appropriate) way you choose.

  12. Answer the remaining questions on your Sound Waves assignment sheet.

Part 4: Sound Challenge

Challenge 1: Use the materials provided to design and build 1 or more devices that use sound to transfer information over a distance. Answer questions on your Sound Waves assignment sheet.

Challenge 2: Use the available materials to design and build 1 or more devices to show that sound can cause material to vibrate. Answer questions on your Sound Waves assignment sheet.

Optional Extension:

Waves on a String Simulation

Run the Waves on a String simulation:

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/wave-on-a-string/latest/wave-on-a-string_en.html

Work through the instructions and answer the questions on your Sound Waves assignment sheet.