Evidence of work

For our sixth project as ninth graders in the STEM program at San Marin, we were given the task to make a band of musical instruments. By the end of the project each group needed at least three different instruments: a chime or percussion instrument, a wind instrument, and a string instrument. Everyone of the instruments created had to be able to play at least an octave of notes.

At the beginning of the project we were given new groups, and I was put into a group with Parker Orth, and Vincent Portocarrero. We started our project by brainstorming together what different instruments we might want to make. There were many different ideas that came to mind, but eventually we decided to dial in on making a set of chimes for our chime instrument, a recorder for our wind instrument, and a guitar for our string instrument. Then, once we decided what instrument we were going to create, we had to blueprint all of them out. While doing this we used a set of multipliers, that helped us tune our instruments to play the right notes. the multipliers were used for the hole placement for the recorder, the chime lengths for the chimes, and the string lengths for the guitar.

As we finished all of our blueprinting and calculations, our group started to build each instrument. First, we started off by cutting metal pipes to correct lengths to create chimes, which were the easiest to make. Then we started to make our guitar. Although, there was a lot of trial and error when we first started, we finally were able to make a well working guitar. Last of all we built our recorder out of a pbc pipe and a homemade mouthpiece. We ended up having to restart this instrument, because the mouthpiece would not work with our first pbc pipe. Once our group was finished with our building of our instruments we needed to create a write up about our build a band project. In the google document below we have our write up with, a description of each instrument, pictures, and charts for each instrument and the notes they play.

Physics

Amplitude: the height, magnitude, or intensity of a wave. Amplitude is measured in meters, or for sound it is measured in decibels. Although we did not explain or use amplitude in our project, we learned about it when reading the textbook.

Electromagnetic Spectrum: the range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends. The only difference between all of the waves in the electromagnetic spectrum is their wave length, their wave speed is exactly the same. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of: radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible waves/ light, ultraviolet waves, x-ray waves, and gamma ray waves.

Frequency: the number of waves, or vibrations, created or received per second. The equation used to solve for frequency is: f(frequency)= v(wave speed) divided by λ(wavelength). This equation is the same as the one used for wave speed, but we used algebra to solve for frequency instead. Another equation to solve for frequency: f(frequency)= 1 divided by T(period).

Longitudinal Wave: the movement of particles of a wave is in the same direction as wave motion. Longitudinal waves are made of compressions and rarefactions. Because of this, longitudinal waves need a medium to travel through, so it has something to compress and rarefact. An example of a longitudinal wave is sound, which is the only wave we used in our project.

Transverse Wave: the movement of particles of a wave is perpendicular to wave motion. Transverse waves have crest and troughs, so they move up and down. All waves are on the electromagnetic spectrum are transverse waves. This includes, light or visible waves, X-ray waves, infrared waves, and others. A transverse wave does not require a medium to travel through, this means a transverse wave can travel through space or a vacuum .

Wavelength: the distance of one wave, from crest to crest. The equation used to solve for wavelength is: λ(wavelength)= v(wave speed) divided by f(frequency). This equation is the same as the one used fr wave speed, but we used algebra to solve for wavelength. We used this equation for textbook chapter questions and also for our project.

Wave Speed: how fast a wave moves. The equation used to find the speed of a wave is: v(wave speed)= λ(wave length) times f(frequency). We used this equation many times throughout our classes. For example, we used this equation a lot for textbook chapter questions.

Learning Targets

Throughout the project we learned many interesting facts about sound waves and even how to calculate various physics problems. We had five main learning targets that we needed to know by the end of this project. These five targets were:

• Being able to use the equation v=λf and relate it to wave speed, wavelength, and frequency: As a class we used this equation so many different times, so I feel very confident in being able to use this and explain it to others. An example of when we used this equation, was when we were working on the textbook chapter questions. There were multiple questions when we were working that needed us to use this equation.
• Explaining different ways waves carry information: Throughout our classes, we took many different notes about how information can be transported by waves. When we were researching about the affect of cell phone signals on human cells, we also did other research on the differences between how digital and analog technology carry information.
• Comparing the wave and particle model: In class we also learned about how light light can act simultaneously as a wave and a particle. We watched different videos that helped explain how light behaves in these ways. Also, besides from the videos we watched, we did other research to further our understanding of the wave and particle model.
• Examine academic texts to determine the effect of radiation on living cells: During the duration of our build a band project, we had to work on a separate assignment where we had to research and write an essay on the effect of radiation on human cells. This assignment really helped me understand how radiation can affect our bodies much more than I originally knew.
• Explaining ways different waves are used: As we were studying sound waves and how they vibrate to make sound, we also learned about transverse waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum. The different types of waves in this spectrum is used for a variety of tasks. For example, radio waves are used for cell phone signals and ultraviolet waves are used to power solar panels.

Reflection

Throughout our project our group went through a lot of difficulties, with people being absent, and losing some of our materials. During the whole project we could have worked to improve on a lot of different team skills. One problem we could have worked on as a group was our communication in many ways. An example of how we didn't communicate, was how we did not share ideas or concerns with each other well enough. We all just started to work separately on our instruments without consulting with each other. A second aspect we could work on was our time management as conscientious learners. Throughout the project we were pretty far behind on how much we had completed compared to other groups. Especially at the end, we were very rushed to complete all of our project by the deadline. If our group had coordinated better and managed our time more efficiently we would have felt better about our end result.

Although there were a few difficulties, and problems we could have worked on as a group, we also did some things very well. One thing that we did very well with for example was our character. Throughout the entirety of the project, our group had great integrity and we always respected each other. With that, another thing we did well, as a group was our collaboration skills. During the project our group did a great job working with each other, and collaborating when it got towards the end of the project. The rush of work we had to do in a little time, helped us work better together and helped us faster produce a great end product on time. In total our group respected each other well throughout the project, but worked even harder and collaborated better wen we were time cramped.