TOPS #18 Sound

Move a pencil back and forth while smoothly pulling a piece of paper under the oscillating point. This generates a train of waves across your paper with measurable amplitudes and wave lengths. Time the frequency of these vibrations to determine wave speed. Masking tape that is stuck to a vibrating tuning fork and swept across greased glass makes a similar wave train. Relationships between intensity and amplitude, pitch and frequency, follow as naturally as listening. Your students will generate both longitudinal and transverse waves by cutting an index card ""slinky."" They'll study resonance and beats, even build a musical instrument.