Mr. Bouyer

Day 1 - 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Lab | Vocabulary Test

vocabulary for the week
  • Wave
  • Transverse
  • Longitudinal
  • Amplitude
  • Wavelength
  • Frequency
  • Hertz
  • Reflection
  • Refraction
  • Diffraction
  • Interference
  • Constructive
  • Destructive
  • Standing wave
  • Sound
  • Speed of sound
  • Intensity
  • Pitch
  • Timbre
  • Acoustics
  • Resonance
  • Reverberation
  • Music
  • Noise
  • Doppler Effect
  • Outer ear
  • Middle ear
  • Inner ear

Waves: Disturbances that transfer energy
through matter or space.
link to an Internet Website


Overview



click to find the answer to today's question What determines the speed at which a wave travels?

This diagram shows the vertical displacement of a single point in a wave.  Notice there is no horizontal displacement.

Types of waves: link to an Internet Website

Examinelink to an Internet Websitelink to an Internet Websitewaves.

Wave characteristics: link to an Internet Website

Wave interactions:






















Day 3

click to find the answer to today's question Does sound travel in outer space?

click for a career
Radiologic Technologist
Sound: Longitudinal waves composed of a series of compressions and rarefactions.

The speed of sound is determined by: link to an Internet Website

    Temperature -
    • As the temperature of the medium increases, the speed of sound increases.
    • Since temperature is a measure of particle motion, the higher the temperature, the faster the particles of the medium are moving.
    • The speed of sound in air is 331.5 m/sec - at 0 oC.
    • The speed of sound in air is 340 m/sec - at 15 oC.
      (the generally accepted value)
    • The speed of sound in air is 346 m/sec - at 25 oC.

    Nature of the medium -
    • Sound travels fastest in the most elastic materials. In this case, "elastic" means the material returns to its original shape quickly.
    • In general, solids are more elastic than liquids which are more elastic than gasses.
    • The speed of sound in water is 1500 m/sec.
    • The speed of sound in steel is 5200 m/sec.
    • With materials in the same phase, sound travels slower in the denser material.
       

the key points to useful information on this page
Properties of sound: link to an Internet Website

Interactions of sound waves:

Outside of class with two partners, build a musical instrument that is able to produce at least four different pitches of sound. Bring the instrument to class and play a tune for the class.


Day 4

click to find the answer to today's question Which travel farther, high pitch or low pitch sounds?

The Doppler Effect: link to an Internet Websitelink to an Internet Website

 

Experiment with the link to an Internet WebsiteDoppler Effect.
 
When do you hearlink to an Internet Websitea supersonic airplane?

The human ear and hearing:

Test Your Concept Understanding:

  1. Use this PBS webpage link to an Internet Website to answer these questions.
    1. Why are the sound waves in front of a moving car pressed closer together?
    2. How does this make the car sound different as it approaches?
    3. How does the Doppler Effect relate to a sonic boom?

  2. Use the link at the bottom of the PBS page and explore the science of racing.

  3. Study this otolaryngology website. link to an Internet Website
    1. What is the purpose of the bones in the middle ear?
    2. What fills the middle ear cavity?
    3. What is a cochlear implant and who is a candidate for one?
    4. How does a perforated eardrum effect hearing?
    5. What causes the most common form of tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ear)?

Research Links:


Physical Science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Wave speed depends on the medium in which it travels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

There is no sound in outer space.
Sound waves are formed by the vibration of particles of matter. Since there is very little matter in space, the particles are too far apart to interact and form waves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Low pitch sounds travel farther than high pitch sounds.