Physics Classroom
Name That Harmonic: Strings
Don't string your class along! Physics scholars discover the fascinating forces behind the music of stringed instruments using an interactive. From a series covering sounds and waves, the interactive asks users to identify nodes and...
Exploratorium
Straw Oboe
Trim the end of a straw to construct a vibrating wind instrument. Everyone in your class can make their own during a lesson on sound waves.
Physics Classroom
Name That Harmonic: Open-End air Columns
Ever wonder what really goes on inside a clarinet? Show your young scientists the physics of open-end air columns through an easy-to-use interactive. Learners examine the features of standing waves and calculate frequency and length in a...
Curated OER
Good Vibrations
Pupils view video clips about sound and vibrations, explore how sound travels, and create their own sound waves.
Curated OER
Good Vibrations: Building a Wave Model
Students assess and apply recurring patterns in natural systems. They evaluate the wave properties of frequency, wavelength, and speed as applied to sound. Students develop a relationship to quantify aspects of wave motion. They predict...
Curated OER
Nature and Characteristics of Waves
Seventh graders research different types of waves, identify the parts of a wave and create a Power Point presentation demonstrating what they have learned.
Curated OER
How We Hear
Students study how sounds are transmitted from the environment to the brain. In this investigative activity students participate in activities that show them how we hear, what sound waves are and the difference in seeing and feeling...
Exploratorium
Vocal Visualizer
Make sound visible with an activity that provides directions for how to build a vocal visualizer meant to create light patterns. Making noise into the visualizer causes a mirror to vibrate, reflecting a laser beam, and creating the...
CK-12 Foundation
Pan Flute
How can a pan flute sound one note while we hear a chord? The simulation explores sound waves, vibrations, and harmonics at the molecular level. Scholars control the pipe into which air is being blown, the length of the pipe, and which...
Curated OER
Earthquakes: Sixth Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Young seismologists learn more about plate tectonics with a set of pre-lab, lab, and post-lab lessons plans on earthquakes. After exploring how waves travel through various materials, sixth graders record their observations and draw...
DiscoverE
Slinky® Science
Toys are great for learning about physics. Scholars use Slinky® toys to study Newton's laws of motion and types of energy. After a little play, they then model longitudinal and transverse waves with the Slinky® toys.
Curated OER
From Vibration to Sound
Young scholars observe a series of demonstrations to illustrate wave movement. In this sound wave instructional activity, students witness how objects create waves when dropped in a dish of water, use a rope and slinky to produce...
Curated OER
Vibrations
Students explore how vibrations create sound by strumming a rubber band. They feel the vibration of their own vocal chords. Then they explore the motion of sound waves and echoes. They rely on their own hearing to locate others in their...
Curated OER
Earthquake Waves
In this waves worksheet, students read about the different types of waves associated with earthquakes. Then students complete 1 fill in the blank and 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Radio Waves
In this radio waves worksheet, students read about how broadcasting uses radio waves to deliver sound and how radio signals are received. Then students complete 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Wave Motion
Young scholars observe and identify various waves. In this wave motion lesson plan, student use a Slinky, noise, people, and musical instruments to create waves and observe how each type of wave moves.
Curated OER
Properties of Waves
Third graders observe and investigate wave properties and compare the properties of particles and waves. They fill a pie pan half full with water, place a toothpick in the center of the pie pan, then drop a marble into the pan and...
Curated OER
Wave Equations
Students manipulate a model of a wave in order to solve the wave equation in 1 dimension. By using a model of a wave on a string the student is able to change the tension, length, and mass of the string as well as fix either end of the...
Curated OER
Make Waves
Sixth graders discover, through exploration, the basic characteristics of waves. After a lecture/demo, 6th graders work in groups and participate in a series of labs where they investigate waves. Each group presents its findings to the...
Curated OER
Tuned in: Tuning Forks and Sine waves
Students explore the characteristics of a pure sound wave produced by a tuning fork. They use sine waves to find a curve to fit the sound wave data produced by the tuning fork. A CBL and microphone is required for this activity.
Curated OER
Standing Waves
In this waves learning exercise, learners learn about standing waves and harmonics. Then students complete 11 matching, 15 fill in the blank, and 7 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Bronx Cheer Bulb
If you chew or make a "raspberry" while viewing an LED light source, the light will appear to wiggle or flicker. It is not because of the light itself, but because of the vibration of your skull! Have your physics class give this a try...
Exploratorium
Resonant Rings
Physical or earth scientists construct this clever contraption to demonstrate how size effects frequency. Several paper rings of various sizes are taped onto a board and shaken to create vibrations. The resonant frequencies are easily...