Sound Waves Through Mediums - Weekly Blog (3/4-3/8)

How Sound Travels by Knowitall.org


Summary

Unlike electromagnetic waves, sound waves require a medium to travel through. Sound waves travel through the vibration of molecules in a medium or matter. This kind of wave can travel through solids, liquids, or gases, but the placement of molecules in each substance affects the speed of travel.

The molecules placed in a solid are very close together, almost touching. The sound waves can travel quickly through solids because the particles are very tight. This allows the sound wave to move from one molecule to another efficiently without losing energy. The molecules placed in a liquid are still close, but slightly farther than that of a solid substance. This means that when sound waves go through a liquid substance, some of the energy is used to push the particles next to each other. This happens because sound does not have the ability to travel through gaps in the molecules. The molecules are far apart in a gas. This means a lot of energy is wasted for the molecules to collide with each other. Sound waves can travel about 13 times faster in a solid than in a gas.

SP3: Planning And Carrying Out Investigations

In class, we planned and conducted investigations in order to learn more about sound waves and how they travel through different mediums. We designed and performed experiments to test our hypotheses. We proved that sound can travel through all three states of matter, solid, liquid, and gas. First, we hit an object on the table (solid.) Next, we hit an object in water (liquid.) Finally, we produced a humming sound (gas.) All three trials created a sound, thus proving the idea that sound can travel through all states of matter. This investigation helped me learn more about how sound travels through mediums.

XCC: Structure and Function

I observed a structure and function relationship between the structure of molecules in matter, and the sound waves traveling through them. The structure is the placement of the molecules. The speed in which the sound waves travel depends on how close the atoms are placed together. Thus, the function is how quickly the sound waves are able to travel through the medium. Learning about this structure and function relationship has helped me learn more about how sound is able to travel and has helped me create connections between structure and function.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Structure of the Periodic Table - 9/25-9/29

Image
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/theperiodictable-110223090122-phpapp01/95/the-periodic-table-7-728.jpg?cb=1298451775 Summary: This week, we have been learning about how the periodic table is arranged and the different patterns that are in the rows  and columns. In the periodic table, the rows are called periods. Along the rows, the elements are organized by atomic number (the number of protons.) The rows also have the same energy level or the number of electrons. For example, in the first row, all of the elements' atoms have one energy level, and so on.The atomic mass is the number of neutrons plus the number of protons. The atomic mass can be a decimal, and it is ordered increasingly. The columns in the periodic table are called groups or families. Each family has a name. For example, group one is composed of alkali metals which is the family with Lithium, Sodium, and more. Each group also has the same number of outer, or valence electrons. The elements in group one ...
Read more

Musical Instruments and Sound- Weekly Blog (3/11-3/15)

Image
Sound Energy - Musical Instruments by SolPass Summary We understand how sound is produced, and how sound waves can travel through different mediums, but how do musical instruments produce sound? There are hundreds of instruments in the world, producing various pitches, tones, and chords. There are three main types of instruments: wind, percussion, and string. The sound is produced differently based on the type of instrument. The first type of instrument is a string instrument. In a string instrument, the sound is created from the vibration of strings. For example, when you play guitar, you pull on the strings. As the strings vibrate, the air molecules start vibrating as well, producing sound. The next type of instruments are wind and brass instruments and are made when we blow sound into them. The shape and position of the instrument affect the overall tone and pitch. The most common kind of wind instrument is a reed instrument. Blowing on the reed causes it to vib...
Read more

Energy Transformations - Weekly Blog (1/28-2/1)

Image
Types of Energy  by  Solar Schools Summary: You've probably heard the quote by Albert Einstein, "Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another." But what are the forms of energy? There are six general energy forms: chemical, mechanical, thermal, light, electrical, and nuclear. Any form of energy can be converted into another form. There are many examples of energy transformations that happen in our everyday lives. The first energy form is chemical energy. Chemical energy is a form of potential energy and is stored in chemical substances. An example of chemical energy is gasoline that is used to power a car. The next form of energy is mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is energy released by a moving object. For example, mechanical energy is the energy that causes a soccer ball to move when kicked. Another form of energy is thermal energy and is associated with the motion of molecules. This means that it is caused by f...
Read more