Wave Fundamentals
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Inset: Diagram of vocal cords, with a description of how they create sound waves and show those sound waves traveling to human ear, with a description of how the ear receives the sound waves. Sound waves are mechanical waves; they need a medium to transmit energy. When we clap our hands, the air between our hands gets compressed. The air molecules bump into each other, creating a vibration that travels through the air as a longitudinal or compression wave.
Materials:
Preparation:
Procedure:
Turn and Talk
Think about it. How does that work? Answer these questions in your lab book, or use this form.
When you speak into the cup, what type of wave are you creating?
What is the medium that is transmitting the sound wave from your mouth to the bottom of the cup?
What do you think happens when the sound waves reach the bottom of the cup?
How does the sound of your voice travel from your cup to your partner’s cup?
What happens when the sound waves reach your partner’s cup?
Describe the series of different materials that vibrated to make the telephone carry sound.
Which medium conducted sound more effectively- the air in the room or the cups and string? Why?
© SERP 2017
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