Sound+Experiments

This lab block was done after completing a Chapter on Sound and Sound Waves.


 * 1) Students were given an eight page packet of Science experiments involving sound waves, pitch, and resonance.
 * 2) The students were given a goal for each experiment.
 * 3) The students were provided with a list of materials for each experiment, as well as the materials needed
 * 4) For each experiment the students were to do the following:
 * Devise an hypothesize
 * Create an experiment using the materials provided
 * List the steps taken in their experiment
 * Make sure that the experiment that they devise help them achieve the goal
 * Record data and/or observations
 * Write a conclusion. The conclusion was to include the scientific facts that supported their conclusion.
 * The students were also to indicate if their experiment supported or disputed their hypothesis.

An example experiment follows. Goal: Determine if sound waves travel through gas/air

Materials: bowl, saran wrap, rubber band ( to create a drum), rice, pan, large spoon

Most of the students were able to craft a drum using the bowl, saran wrap and rubber band. The rice placed on the drum will vibrate when the pan was hit with the metal spoon. Most of the students experimented with the volume of the banging and the location of the pan in relation to the drum when they banged on the pan with the spoon.

Some students hit the drum itself. By looking back at the goal they were able to determine that this step in the experiment would not help them achieve their goal as the sound waves were not traveling through the air, but through the drum itself.