JUST LISTEN

The Science of Sound

What is sound?

Sound is a kind of energy created by vibrations. Imagine ripples across a pond. Sound is kind of like that. The ripples move continuously pushing one another until they run out of energy. When something vibrates, it moves particles in the air. These particles bump into each other causing a domino effect and carrying the sound. The air that sound travels through is called a medium. A medium that carries sound can be liquid (water), gas (air) or solid (the wall of your apartment. The vibrations make waves that move longitudinally. How high or low a sound is is called pitch. Pitch is determined by frequency. Frequency is the amount of waves that occur within a certain amount of time. If the waves are fast and close together, it creates a high note. When they are slow and farther apart, the waves create a low note. Amplitude determines how loud a sound is. The height of the sound wave determines how soft or loud the sound will be.

DIY Insturments

Maraca Drum

This is an instrument that changes amplitude, but has a constant pitch.

To make this instrument, gather all the materials. Take the cup and pour a handful of beads into it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and wrap a rubber band around the base. All done!

Materials

Clear plastic cup
Plastic wrap
Plastic beads
Rubber band

Materials

Clear plastic cup
Plastic wrap
Plastic beads
Rubber band

Bottle xlyophone flute

This is an instrument that changes both pitch and volume.

To make, you will need to fill the bottles with different levels of water. The more water that you put in the bottle, the lower the pitch. Play around with it until it reaches the desired pitch. You can also blow into the open top to make an interesting whistling sound.