Sound in the Air: A Look at Waves and How it Works

Grade Level: 8th Grade Presented by: Chris Alexander Length of Unit: Approximately 5 Days I.

ABSTRACT The focus of this unit is sound. The students will learn how sounds works. They will be able to explain the two types of waves and how they move. They will explain the different types of mediums sound can move. They will understand how a sonic boom takes place. They will calculate the speed of a wave from amplitude and frequency. They will know how the human ear works and how sound travels through it. OVERVIEW A. Concept Objectives 1. Students will recognize the application of scientific and technological information to daily life. 2. Students will understand the importance of energy in the physical sciences, including sound. B. Core Knowledge Content 1. Explain wave transfer energy by oscillation without transferring matter 2. Define and explain wave properties 3. Define and explain Doppler effect 4. Define and explain transverse and longitudinal waves 5. Calculate speed of a wave from wavelength and frequency 6. Explain different mediums for sound 7. Explain breaking the sound barrier 8. Explain how the ear works C. Skills to be taught 1. Applying concepts 2. Interpreting definitions 3. Relating cause and effect 4. Applying technology 5. Performing calculations 9. How the human ear works

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III. BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. For Teachers: B. For Students: 1. Sound, Grade 3 Core Knowledge IV. RESOURCES A. Science Insights by Michael Dispezio B. Electricity and Magnetism by Seymour Rosen V. LESSONS Lesson One: Introduction to waves (1 day) A. Objectives 1. Lesson Content: Sound Waves 2. Concept Objective: Students will understand the importance of energy in the physical sciences, including sound.

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Skill Objectives: a. name the two types of waves and how they move b. draw a diagram of a wave and its parts c. explain how water waves move d. explain the difference between sound waves and water waves Materials 1. large pan 2. Styrofoam balls Key Vocabulary 1. Transverse wave 2. longitudinal wave 3. crest 4. trough 5. wavelength Procedures/ activities 1. Students define unit vocabulary through discussion/lecture 2. Students draw a diagram of wave and label 3. Students draw a diagram of both wave types 4. Teacher will demonstrate how water waves move Evaluation/Assessment 1. Discussion and mini quiz on lesson one Standardized Test/State Test Connections (TAAS) 1. Students will demonstrate ability to acquire scientific data 2. Main idea is introduced through discussion/demonstration

Lesson Two: Characteristics of a wave A. Objectives 1. Lesson Content: Characteristics of sound waves 2. Concept Objectives: a. Students will recognize the importance of energy in the physical sciences, including sound. b. Students will understand the importance of energy in the physical sciences, including sound. 3. Skill Objectives: a. define amplitude and wave frequency b. draw and label a longitudinal wave c. describe four kinds of wave interactions d. compare and contrasts constructive and destructive interference B. Materials 1. large pan 2. Styrofoam balls C. Key vocabulary 1. Wave amplitude 2. wave frequency 3. wave speed 4. reflection 5. diffraction 6. refraction 7. interference D. Procedures/Activities 1. Students define unit vocabulary words through discussion /lecture

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2. Draw and label diagram of waves 3. Teacher demonstrates amplitude and frequency 4. Teacher demonstrates destructive and constructive interference Evaluation/Assessment 1. Discussion and mini quiz Standardized Test/State Connections (TAAS) 1. Students will demonstrate the ability to draw conclusion/or outcomes of a scientific investigation 2. Main idea is introduced with discussion and demonstration

Lesson Three: Sound wave mediums A. Objectives 1. Lesson Content: Sound wave mediums 2. Concept Objectives: a. Students will recognize the importance of energy in the physical sciences, including sound. b. Students will understand the importance of energy in the physical sciences, including sound. 3. Skill Objectives: a. describe how different mediums change the wave b. explain Doppler Effect c. explain the breaking the sound barrier B. Materials 1. wood blocks 2. metals bars 3. cups and string C. Key vocabulary 1. Medium 2. Doppler Effect 3. sonic boom 4. sound barrier D. Procedures/Activities 1. Students define unit vocabulary through discussion/lecture 2. Students complete worksheets on waves 3. Draw and label the diagram on sonic boom 4. Teacher demonstrates how sound moves through different mediums E. Evaluation/Assessment 1. Completion of waves worksheet F. Standardized Test/State Test Connection (TAAS) 1. Students will demonstrate the ability to draw conclusions and outcomes of investigation 2. Main idea introduced through demonstration Lesson Four: Calculation of speed and decibels A. Objectives 1. Lesson Content: Calculation of speed and decibles 2. Concept Objective: Students will understand the importance of energy in the physical sciences, including sound. 3. Skill Objectives: a. calculating speed of a wave b. how a wave will behave as it moves from air to water

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c. identify 3 properties of sound d. discuss refraction and diffraction Materials 1. Problem worksheets Key vocabulary 1. Interaction 2. energy 3. frequency 4. pitch Procedures/Activities 1. Students define unit vocabulary words through discussion/lecture 2. Complete worksheets on calculations 3. Craw diagrams on pitch and chart on decibels Evaluation/Assessment 1. Completion of worksheets on calculations 2. Completion of diagrams and chart Standardized Test/State Connections (TAAS) 1. Main idea introduced through lecture/discussion 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to acquire scientific data information

Lesson Five: The human ear, how you hear A. Objectives 1. Lesson Content: The human ear 2. Concept Objective: Students will recognize the application of scientific and technological information to daily life. 3. Skill Objectives: a. describe the structure and functions of the ear b. trace the path of a sound wave through the ear c. make a diagram of the ear d. construct a working musical instrument B. Materials 1. colored paper 2. pencils 3. rubber bands 4. straws C. Key vocabulary 1. outer ear 2. inner ear 3. middle ear 4. cochlea 5. eardrum D. Procedure/Activities 1. Students define unit vocabulary words through discussion/lecture 2. Draw diagram of ear 3. Recite the path of a sound wave through the ear 4. Using materials create a musical instrument E. Evaluation/Assessment 1. Mini quiz on human ear 2. Complete diagram on ear 3. Successfully complete a model of a musical instrument F. Standardized Test/State Test Connections (TAAS)

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Main idea introduced in lecture and lab Students will demonstrate the ability to relate and apply scientific and technological information to daily life

VI. CULMINATING ACTIVITY The students will take a quiz on waves, sound waves, and the human ear. Then each group will build their own phone system and explain how it works. VII. HANDOUTS/WORKSHEETS N/A VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY Dispezio, Michael. Linner-Luebe, Marilyn, Lisowski, Marylin, et al. Science Insights. Menlo park, CA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 1997, ISBN 0-201-67326-6 Rosen, Seymour. Electricity and Magnetism. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Globe Book Company, 1992, ISBN 0-8359-0292-7