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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Outer Space, the Silent Frontier: An Experiment on Sound Waves

For Students 3rd - 5th
In outer space there is utter silence. There are no sounds of traffic jams or thunderstorms or crashing waves. No buzzing bees or babies crying. Just silence. In this experiment, you will discover why empty space is void of sound.
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Interactive
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: How Loud, How High?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
What are ways to describe sound? Using the program downloaded called Sound Grapher and the microphone on the computer, students can investigate the frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and velocity of sound waves. Activity includes detailed...
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics at Your Desk: Drumming Fingers

For Students 6th - 8th
An easy experiment through which students explore sound waves while tapping their fingers on a desk or table in a quiet room.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Wave Motion

For Students 9th - 10th
Two wave graphs depicting a sine wave and relating the various characteristics (wavelength, amplitude, frequency, and period) of a wave to each other. The site includes an interactive JavaScript form in which the visitor enters one...
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Graphic
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Musical Instruments

For Students 9th - 10th
Homepage for a hypertext about the different families of musical instruments. From this page, users can retrieve information on a the acoustics of a variety of specific instruments: stringed instruments, woodwind instruments, brass...
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Website
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Architecture for Acoustics

For Students 9th - 10th
A physics tutorial on designing an auditorium and solving the problem of sound reflection. Illustrated.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Non Focusing Surfaces

For Students 9th - 10th
This hypertext physics course tutorial on nonfocusing surfaces relates various design principles to good auditorium design. Illustrated.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Interference of Sound

For Students 9th - 10th
Information about the interference of sound and its causes. Well-illustrated and good explanations of the concepts; part of a large hyper-textbook on various physics concepts.
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Graphic
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: The Place Theory

For Students 9th - 10th
An indexing page for an elaborate and in-depth hyper-textbook on various physics topics. This page indexes several others which pertain to human ability to perceive sound and recognize pitch. Introduces and explains Place Theory.
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Graphic
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Sound Propagation

For Students 9th - 10th
This page and the many pages which are indexed to focus on the behaviors of sound which characterize it as a wave. Reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction and more are clearly illustrated and explained.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Water Tube Resonance Experiment

For Students 9th - 10th
Online physics lab experiment in which students use resonating waves inside of a closed-end air column to determine the speed of sound. The form allows students to check their answers and receive immediate feedback.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Reverberation

For Students 9th - 10th
A tutorial from a hypertext physics course book that discusses reverberation. Illustrated.
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Graphic
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Sound Level Measurement

For Students 9th - 10th
Home page for a hypertext physics course. Users can access subjects ranging from the sound wave parameters that effect hearing and communication to OSHA worplace standards.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Diffraction of Sound

For Students 9th - 10th
This site's entry is a discussion of diffraction and its application to acoustics and acoustical design. Exceptional illustrations and great discussion throughout.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Refraction of Sound

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of refraction and its application to sound waves. Using analogies, graphics and real-life applications, this page and those that accompany it explain why and when sound waves bend.
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Graphic
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Resonance

For Students 9th - 10th
This hypertext physics course surveys sound resonance in musical instruments. Illustrated.
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Graphic
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Sound and Hearing

For Students 9th - 10th
Home page for a hypertext course on physics. Accesses a range of topics from hearing to sound measurement to sound propoation to musical instruments.
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Interactive
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Brass Instruments

For Students 9th - 10th
Understand the science of sound when performing with a brass instrument such as a trumpet or a trombone.
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Article
Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College: Mqed: Computer Music

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The downloadable monograph investigates computer music. Topics included are the MIDI system, waves, synthesizers, coding, and computer music applications.
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Article
University of Kentucky

The Physics and Math of Music

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Read about a math research project done by three college students which helps us see physics and math in music. Here's a great approach for integrating curriculum!
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Interactive
University of Toronto (Canada)

University of Toronto: Flash Animations for Physics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site boasts an extensive list of physics animations that cover topics such as electricity, magnetism, quantum mechanics, and relativity. Variables can be manipulated for each demonstration.
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Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Wave Interference

For Students 9th - 10th
Conduct virtual experiments with water, sound, and light waves to determine the sine wave and patterns created in each.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Exploring Sound: Length Makes a Difference

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students begin to explore the relationship between the length of an object and the sound it produces as it vibrates, by using a wood or plastic ruler and the edge of a desk or table.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: The Nature of Sound With a Slinky

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A physics lesson where students investigate how sound can be produced and changed. Students identify vibrations as the source of sound and how it can be amplified and received, and then explore the use of a slinky to explain the nature...