What exactly is sound and how does it work in different environments? Find out in this fast and simple science experiment!

Materials:

Rubber bands, an empty container, and a piece of cloth (optional)

Time Estimated:

5 minutes

Directions:

First, try to wrap a rubber band around your thumb and pointer finger and pluck it. Are you able to hear anything?
Next, grab your container and wrap about 5 rubber bands around it. It would be best to use some with a variety of thicknesses.
Try this on containers of different shapes and sizes!
Then, pluck each rubber band and make observations! Be sure to record them in a notebook!
Optional Step: To take it a step further, stuff the container with a piece of cloth. Do you notice a difference in the sound?

Think Like a Scientist!

Does each rubber band produce the same sound? Why or why not?
Is there a softer sound when the cloth is placed in the container?

How Does It Work?

In this activity, you were able to listen to sound waves! But how are we able to hear little vibrations in the air?

Well, simply put, sound is a form of energy! For example, when you close a door, talk to your friend, or pluck the rubber bands on the container, you are performing an action that causes a vibration in the air! The vibration then interacts with the air and allows molecules in the air to move. When this happens, one molecule knocks into another, and then another, and then another, which eventually creates a sound wave. Once these sound waves reach your eardrums, you are able to hear!

Interestingly enough, these sound waves are able to travel through air, water, and around solid objects. The movement of the waves changes depending on how fast or slow the object vibrates. One quality of sound is called pitch. This is defined as how high or low a sound is. If an object vibrates quickly, we are able to hear a high-pitched sound. If an object vibrates slowly, we are able to hear a low-pitched sound.

Another quality of sound is loudness. Remember how we said that sound is a form of energy? The bigger the sound waves are, the more energy they are able to carry. So, the sound waves that are able to carry more energy are the ones that produce louder sounds once they reach your eardrums! On the other hand, the sound waves that carry less energy produce a softer sound!

Further Exploration:

Did you know that you actually conduct a sound experiment every day? This happens every time you are talking! Next time you are chatting with family and friends, pay attention to the vibrations you feel in your throat. Those are your vocal cords, which are vibrating like sound waves! In addition, the shape of your mouth and tongue help you to make different sounds in the same way that the different shapes of the container and rubber bands made different sounds in today’s experiment!

Looking for the perfect gift for your scientist?

Check out our workbook full of science experiments and empowering activities!

Find it here!