Build a Band
The Challenge
In this project, we were to design and build a band of at least three instruments: One string, one wind, and one chime (percussion). They had to be able to play at least 8 notes, so we had to use our knowledge of waves and sound to make the instruments play those notes. Then we described our process and how each one worked.
The Process
When making the instruments, we started by learning background knowledge on waves, how they work, and how they transfer sound and energy. Then we started learning more specifically about instruments and how we would need to build them to get the correct notes. For strings, you change the notes by manipulating the length, tension, and thickness of the strings. For winds, you change the length of the pipe by drilling holes. For chimes, the natural frequency of the material and the length determines the sound. After we decided what notes to play and what instruments we should make, we drew blueprints and started building. When we finished the main body of the instrument, we used calculations to figure out the exact lengths of string, metal, or pipe to fine-tune the notes. Finally, we played our finished instruments for the class and described how and why they worked.
Content
Frequency (f)
The number of vibrations (waves) per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
f = v/λ
Wavelength (λ)
The distance of one wave, crest to crest (or compression to compression), measured in meters.
λ = v/f
Wave Speed (v)
How fast a wave travels (the velocity), measured in meters per second.
V = λf
Amplitude (A)
The distance from the midpoint to the max point of the wave, measured in meters.
A^2 ~ intensity
Transverse Wave
A wave with vibrations at right angles to the direction that the wave is traveling in.
Longitudinal Wave
A wave in which the vibration is moving in the same direction that the wave is traveling in.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The range of electromagnetic waves extending from radio waves to gamma waves.
Reflection
For this project, I think I did well in conscientious learning and critical thinking. I managed my time so I did my writing and researching while I was at home and I did construction while I was at school in the Maker Space. This helped me finish my part faster than the rest of my group so I could focus on other things. Also, the simple calculation for finding finger holes didn't work for my instrument, so I had to do extra research and some finicky, complicated calculations to figure out where they should go. I also did well in some aspects of collaboration because I took responsibility for making my instrument and completing that on time.
Something I could have worked on was communication. I could have done a better job telling my group what I was doing since I mostly just went off to do my own thing, and I'm not sure they knew what I was working on. Also, I could have listened to my group more since I was more focused on my own instrument and didn't know what they were doing. In the end, we completed all of our instruments successfully, but mostly we just worked on our own instruments instead of working as a team.