Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Behavior of Sound Waves: Interference and Beats
This tutorial looks at the behavior of sound waves, specifically focusing upon sound interference and beats. Learn more about it and then take a short quiz to check your understanding.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Make a Phonograph From Everyday Items
In this physics science fair project, the student will use common materials to play back sound from a vinyl record album. The student will investigate what kinds of materials produce the best sound. The Science Buddies project ideas are...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Guitar Fundamentals: Wavelength, Frequency, & Speed
This is a rockin' project for guitarists with an interest in the physics behind music. If you have ever wondered why the pitch of the note changes when you fret the string, this project will help you understand by applying basic...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Resonance
This hypertext physics course surveys sound resonance in musical instruments. Illustrated.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics: Waves Study Guide
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This guide gives a detailed overview of mechanical waves and the characteristics of waves. Covers wave behavior, including types of interference, resonance, and the...
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: Introduction to Saxophone Acoustics
Learn all about the ways a saxophone produces sound. Discover why the reed, playing softly or loudly and tone holes play important roles in this instruments acoustics.
Physics Central
Physics Central: Physics in the Tool Shed: Toolaballoonaphone
Learn about compression waves and amplification through constructing a toolaballoonaphone! The toolaballoonaphone is made out an exercise ball, fish nets, wrenches, strings, scissors, and a clean waste basket that allows students to...
Michigan Reach Out
Michigan Reach Out!: Drums (Sounds Like Science)
This site is provided for by Michigan Reach Out. Students experiment with the variables of force, pitch and volume after making a drum.
Other
Avatar Consultants, Inc: Definition of Intensity
Power, loudness, and decibel levels of sound waves are described and explained. The relative power output of various musical instruments is given.
Michigan Reach Out
Michigan Reach Out!: Making a Shoe Box Guitar
This site provides an experiment where students create a guitar to discover what variables will change sound.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Do Re Mi With Straws
Check out this fun science fair project about the physics of musical sound production. Here you will make musical instruments with drinking straws, one for each note on a one-octave major scale. You will figure out the right lengths for...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Live Exploration
Take a special trip to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with GPB Education! This interactive virtual exploration offers students a behind-the-scenes experience as they learn about the science of sound and the preparation it takes to put on...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Wave on String Lab
This lab is designed to help students discover the connections between the linear density of a string and the tension in the string with the speed of the wave along the string. The program can be set with six identical strings or six...
Other
Mostly Music: Music Physics
A discussion of a variety of physics topics related to music and sound. Topics include vibrations, sound waves, frequency and pitch, resonance and overtones.
Other
Avatar Consultants, Inc: Tuning, Scales, and Temperament
A discussion of the composition of complex sounds produced by a musical instrument. Good illustration of how music is applied to physics. Quite a bit of good information, several pages linked together with good definitions as well as...
New York Times
New York Times: Simulating the Masters
This site scientifically explains how 18th century master violin makers produced such beautiful sounds with their instruments. The use of animated graphics and brief explanations allow the viewer to understand how scientists are trying...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: The Timpani
A site mostly exploring the hyperphysics of the sound frequencies of the timpani.
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: Introduction to Acoustics of Brass Instruments
Discover the acoustical properties of brass instruments from this well researched site provided by the University of New South Wales. Everything from lip control to bell shape is discussed as it applies to frequencies and harmonics.
PBS
Pbs: Math With Jake: Frequencies & Pitch
In this video, musician Jake Shimabukuro uses the pitch of musical notes and vibrations in hertz to illustrate the concept of ratios. This clip is from Center for Asian American Media. In the accompanying classroom activity, students...
Other
The Equal Tempered Scale & Peculiarities of Piano Tuning
The author offers a complete explanation of the physics behind piano tuning and why piano tuning is an intricate process. Illustrations and graphs are included.
Other
French Horn Stopping Why the Pitch Shift?
The opening four points of this article point out the 4 special challenges of playing the modern French horn. When the player uses the "stopping mute", he/she must transpose the music down one semitone in order to play in the correct...
Curated OER
Avatar Consultants, Inc: Tuning, Scales, and Temperament
A discussion of the composition of complex sounds produced by a musical instrument. Good illustration of how music is applied to physics. Quite a bit of good information, several pages linked together with good definitions as well as...
Curated OER
Avatar Consultants, Inc: Tuning, Scales, and Temperament
A discussion of the composition of complex sounds produced by a musical instrument. Good illustration of how music is applied to physics. Quite a bit of good information, several pages linked together with good definitions as well as...