Graphing Sound

Teacher Instructions

Background Information:

    Little background information is required for this lab. Students are to begin to formulate an understanding of sound as a vibration. They should be led as little as possible initially. After the lab a more detailed understanding of sound should be obtained through the discussion.

Procedures:

    The procedures could be determined as a class, left up to the individual student groups or the following suggested procedures could be used.

Data / Observation:

    Insure students draw their graph as carefully as possible on their observation sheet. They should also record how they made the sound and and a description of the sound.

Analysis:

  • Students should cut out their graphs and place them into groups of similar appearance. This can be done by gluing the grouped graphs to a blank sheet of paper or by paper clipping the graphs together.
  • They should write a statement for each that explains why they put those graphs together.
  • They should carefully study their groups of graphs, the descriptions of the graphs and how the sounds were produced.

Conclusions:

    Students should briefly explain why they think the various objects and the various methods of making the sounds produced similar graphs. Can they guess what an object looks like from seeing a graph of its sound?

Questions:

  • Discuss the conclusions of the students.
  • Discuss questions raised by the students.
  • Assign students to find answers to questions raised.
  • Have the students describe an object based on a graph previously produced.

Notes:

  • There are no unusual safety hazards with this experiment.

Student Instructions for ULI

The Big Question:

    How do sounds made from various objects compare?

Equipment / Materials:

  • Computer
  • ULI
  • Microphone
  • Sound software
  • Various objects to make sounds
  • Optional : glue & blank paper

Computer Set Up

  • Connect the ULI to the computer and connect the ULI to a power supply.
  • Connect the Microphone to DIN 1 of the ULI.
  • Turn on the ULI and the computer.
  • Open the program "Sound"
  • Under the "Display" menu choose "One Graph"

Procedures:

  • Set up the computers as instructed. Skip this step if the computers are already set up.
  • Click the "Start" button. The message "Waiting for trigger" will appear near the bottom of the screen.
  • Use an object or your voice to make a sound near the microphone. A graph will appear on the screen. If you do not like this graph make another sound and a new graph will appear.
  • Once you have produced a graph you like, click "Stop" to keep your graph.
  • As carefully as possible draw your graph on your observation sheet. Also be sure to record how you made the sound and and a description of the sound.
  • Repeat the above steps to make graphs of other sounds. Make as many different graphs as you can until stopped by your teacher. Use as many observation sheets as needed.

Data / Observation:

  • Draw your graph as carefully as possible on your observation sheet. Be sure to also record how you made the sound and a description of the sound.

Analysis:

  • Cut out your graphs and place them into groups of similar appearance.
  • Write a statement for each that explains why you put those graphs together.

Conclusions:

  • Carefully study you groups of graphs, the descriptions of the graphs and how the sounds were produced.
  • Briefly explain why you think the various objects and the various methods of making the sounds produced similar graphs.

Student Instructions for LabPro

The Big Question:

    How do sounds made from various objects compare?

Equipment / Materials:

  • Computer
  • LabPro
  • Microphone
  • LoggerPro software
  • Various objects to make sounds
  • Optional : glue & blank paper

Computer Set Up

  • Connect the LabPro to the computer and to a power supply.
  • Connect the Microphone to Channel 1 on the LabPro.
  • Turn on the computer.
  • Open the LoggerPro software.
  • Under the Experiment menu choose Show Sensors and select the student force sensor in channel 1.
  • Under the Experiment menu choose Data Collection... and select the Triggering tab at the top right. Check the Enable Triggering box and click OK.

Procedures:

  • Set up the computers as instructed. Skip this step if the computers are already set up.
  • Click the Collect button.
  • Use an object or your voice to make a sound near the microphone. A graph will appear on the screen. If you do not like this graph make another sound and a new graph will appear.
  • Once you have produced a graph you like, click Stop to keep your graph.
  • As carefully as possible draw your graph on your observation sheet or print out the graph. Also be sure to record how you made the sound and and a description of the sound.
  • Repeat the above steps to make graphs of other sounds. Make as many different graphs as you can until stopped by your teacher. Use as many observation sheets as needed.

Data / Observation:

  • Draw your graph as carefully as possible on your observation sheet or print out the graph from the computer. Be sure to also record how you made the sound and a description of the sound.

Analysis:

  • Cut out your graphs and place them into groups of similar appearance.
  • Write a statement for each that explains why you put those graphs together.

Conclusions:

  • Carefully study your groups of graphs, the descriptions of the graphs and how the sounds were produced.
  • Briefly explain why you think the various objects and the various methods of making the sounds produced similar graphs.

 

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