Waves & Sound: Wave Properties
Determine the relationship between frequency, wavelength, period, and pitch
Your students will deepen their understanding of waves by manipulating the characteristics of a sound wave and getting immediate visual and aural feedback.
Lab Summary
Students will learn to identify the properties and characteristics of a sound wave and determine how changing them affects the sound that they hear. Students will have the opportunity to experience various sound waves in a concrete fashion via several senses: sight, sound, and touch.
They will come to an understanding of how mechanical waves are created, how wave characteristics (crest, trough, and baseline) on a wave diagram depict the actual movement of molecules in a sound wave, and that sound is transmitted through a medium. Students will directly manipulate amplitude, frequency, and wavelength of sound waves and see and hear the results.
Theory
A wave's period and frequency share an inverse relationship. And for a given wave speed, so do frequency and wavelength. With the appropriate software and some simple materials, these relationships can be thoroughly explored.
Downloads
- Computer-based lab (PDF, 916 KB) (916 KB, .pdf)
(student version)
- Xplorer GLX-based lab (PDF, 352 KB) (349 KB, .pdf)
(student version)
Method
Use the WAVEPORT program to investigate the various properties of sound waves.
Here's What You Need
U.S. Educator prices shown.
Required for Xplorer GLX-based lab: (See lab download for computer-based lab requirements, which may differ)
Probeware (ScienceWorkshop)
WAVEPORT Software (Single User) (CI-6872D) - $59
WAVEPORT is an interactive soundwave module that enables students to collect, visually display and analyze sound waves. Single User version.
Probeware (PASPORT)
Xplorer GLX (PS-2002) - $349
The Xplorer GLX is a data collection, graphing, and analysis tool designed for science students and educators.
Other Products
Double-Length Slinky (SE-8760) - $15
An excellent tool for demonstrating transverse and longitudinal wave phenomena. It is twice as long as a traditional slinky.
Student Bell Jar (SE-9790) - $40
Provides a vacuum chamber for students to perform many experiments such as watching a balloon expand or warm water boil as air is pumped from the chamber.
Other Materials
- Speaker
- Tuning Forks (set of 8)
- Shallow Pan or Ripple Tank
- Lightweight object, e.g., Ping-Pong Ball, Hanging on a Thread
- Noise-maker, e.g., Clapping Monkey, Alarm Clock with Clapper Straws
Lab Manual
The computer-based activity is included in Explorations in Physics (PS-2810) . The Xplorer GLX-based lab is included in Physics with the Xplorer GLX (PS-2826) . Both manuals are complete with Teacher Information pages, student instructions and handouts, and sample data.
For your convenience, we offer bundles which provide the probeware for the
activities in the manual. For more, please see:
Computer-based
Physics Lab Manual and Bundles
Xplorer
GLX-based Physics Lab Manual and Bundles
