Experimenting with sound/compression waves through vibration.
Summary
During this inquiry lesson students will use various objects/materials (metal and non-metal) attached to strings to investigate how vibration causes sounds waves. Students investigate how objects cause varying sound waves and pitches. Some objects will conduct sound better than others. Students will be encouraged to ask questions about how and why they can hear sound vibrations through the string and not through the air.
CollapseLearning Goals
1.Students will be able to understand that sound must travel through matter to be heard.
2.Students will be able to write testable questions on how to get objects to produce sound.
3.Students will be able to explain that rate of vibration and source affect pitch of vibrating object
2.Students will be able to write testable questions on how to get objects to produce sound.
3.Students will be able to explain that rate of vibration and source affect pitch of vibrating object
Context for Use
This activity is for third graders, to be used in the classroom activity and it requires approximately 45 minutes. This activity is a perfect way to introduce students to compression/sound waves. It aligns with the third grade 3.2.3.1.1 standard. In order for students to fully understand sounds waves via vibrations you should us many different metal or non-metal objects. This lesson is easily adaptable to any classroom.
Description and Teaching Materials
1.You will need to gather at least 20 different objects, such as metal hanger, spoons, forks, butter knives (optional), plastic tubing, etc. Make sure the objects you gather are both metal and non-metal. (Students will discover that the metal objects will conduct sound waves better.)
a. students will need a science journal and pencils
2.Once you have gathered all the various objects tie strings to either sides or ends of the object. Students will wrap these strings around their fingers prior to putting their fingers into their ears.
3.Have the students take out their science journals and make a T chart for note gathering during this activity. One side of the chart should be labeled object and the other observations.
a. Students should write down at least one thing they observe about each object they experiment with
4.Demonstrate to students how they will complete this experiment. Walk around the room and gently hit an object against various surfaces within the classroom (cabinets, sink, etc.). Show them how they can hit the object without putting the strings in their ears and with the strings in their ears (They will be able to hear the sound waves only when the strings are in their ears.)
5.It will be good for them to try hitting the objects both ways so that they can understand that the sound waves travels better through the string than through the air.
6.Once you have modeled how to test the objects show the students how to fill out their T chart.
7.Have students experiment with the objects, in pairs, for about 20 minutes. While they are experimenting they should be filling out their journal.
8.Gather back together and discuss the results of what they observed. Encourage students to ask further questions and generate ideas on why they think the vibrations are occuring through the various objects. Have an open discussion with students.
9. Have the students with their partners read the Delta Science Reader Sound book and fill out a SQR3 sheet together over their reading.
a. this activity may help to answer and further questions they have as well as reinforce what they experimented with.
10. Once students have read and filled out the sheet have them gather with another group and discuss what they learned while reading the book.
a. students will need a science journal and pencils
2.Once you have gathered all the various objects tie strings to either sides or ends of the object. Students will wrap these strings around their fingers prior to putting their fingers into their ears.
3.Have the students take out their science journals and make a T chart for note gathering during this activity. One side of the chart should be labeled object and the other observations.
a. Students should write down at least one thing they observe about each object they experiment with
4.Demonstrate to students how they will complete this experiment. Walk around the room and gently hit an object against various surfaces within the classroom (cabinets, sink, etc.). Show them how they can hit the object without putting the strings in their ears and with the strings in their ears (They will be able to hear the sound waves only when the strings are in their ears.)
5.It will be good for them to try hitting the objects both ways so that they can understand that the sound waves travels better through the string than through the air.
6.Once you have modeled how to test the objects show the students how to fill out their T chart.
7.Have students experiment with the objects, in pairs, for about 20 minutes. While they are experimenting they should be filling out their journal.
8.Gather back together and discuss the results of what they observed. Encourage students to ask further questions and generate ideas on why they think the vibrations are occuring through the various objects. Have an open discussion with students.
9. Have the students with their partners read the Delta Science Reader Sound book and fill out a SQR3 sheet together over their reading.
a. this activity may help to answer and further questions they have as well as reinforce what they experimented with.
10. Once students have read and filled out the sheet have them gather with another group and discuss what they learned while reading the book.
Teaching Notes and Tips
It will be important to obtain as many objects as you can prior to the lesson. Inquiring of parents to donate objects to use would be a great way to elevate cost or prep time. It will be important to use objects that students cannot hurt themselves or one another with. This lesson will work best if students have had prior experience with inquiry lessons both guided and unguided. Also it will be helpful that your students have had prior experience with a SQR3 sheet before. These are great ways to keep and organize science information located within books. I would suggest having the students keep their SQR3 within their science journal. Also, it will be important to have practiced discussion of results as large and small groups so that students understand the requirements of this activity.
Assessment
Student's written observations within their journal, along with their list of which objects conduct sound waves better, and filling out a SQR3 sheet is sufficient evidence for understanding of this topic.
Standards
Physical Science; 3.2.3.1.1: Energy appears in different forms, including sound and light. Benchmark: explain the relationship between the pitch of sound, the rate of vibration of the source and factors that affect pitch.