Q1. Explain how sounds are made when objects, materials or air vibrate?
A1. Sound is a type of energy made by vibrations. When an object vibrates, it causes
movement in surrounding air molecules. These molecules bump into the molecules
close to them, causing them to vibrate as well. This “chain reaction” results in a wave
of vibrations travelling through the air to the eardrum, which in turn also vibrates.
Q2. Describe what volume means?
A2. The volume of a sound is how loud or quiet it is. The more energy you put into
the vibration, the louder the sound will be.
[Link] equipment is used to measure sound?
A3. A sound level meter is used to measure sound.
Q4. How sound travels through different materials to the ear?
A4. Sound vibrations can travel through different materials. However, sound
vibrations travel better through some materials than others:
Sound travels faster in solids than in liquids. This is because the particles
in solids are packed closely together, so the vibrations pass through faster.
Sound travels faster in liquids than in gases (air). This is because the
particles in liquids are not as close together, so vibrations travel more slowly
than in solids. However, the particles in gases are spread out more than in
liquids, so vibrations travel even more slowly in gas (air).
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The closer the particles are together, the easier it is for vibrations to be passed on
from one particle to another.
Q5. How to test which materials are good at preventing sound from travelling through
them?
A5. Muffling sounds is important in some industries where people must wear ear
defenders to protect from very loud sounds (such as airports and construction sites).
The material often includes some kind of foam material because the sound vibrations
travel less well in foam, which has pockets of air. This helps to stop or reduce the
vibrations so that hearing is not damaged.
In order to test which materials are good at preventing sound from travelling through
them, it is best to wrap different materials around a music box or a hand held
speaker (playing music). Listen and observe the increase and decrease in volume.
Q6. What is pitch?
A6. The pitch of a sound is how high or low a sound is.
Q7. Describe high and low sounds and explain why they can be loud or soft?
Q8. Explain how to change the loudness of the sound made by the drum or other
musical equipment?
A8. The loudness of sound can be changed when the vibration changes by striking
the drum with more or less force.
Q9. Explain how to change the pitch of the sound made by a guitar or other musical
instrument?
A9. The pitch of the sound made by a guitar can be made higher by shortening the
string and the pitch can be made lower by using a thicker string.
Q10. What unit of measure is used for sound?
A10. The unit of measure used for sound is Decibels (dB).
Extended Activity: Learners have to make any one musical instrument of their choice. Use
the video link for more ideas.
Workbook pages 77 to 80. Already discussed in class.
A7. An object or instrument that vibrates very slowly makes a sound with a low pitch.
One that vibrates very quickly makes a sound with a high pitch.
The more energy one puts in the vibration the louder the sound will be. Similarly if
less energy is put in the vibration the softer the sound will be. Example: hitting a
drum harder gives a loud sound and hitting the drum lightly gives a soft sound.
