Curated OER
A Whale of a Story
Does sound travel faster in water or in the air? Put the question to the test with a science experiment. After reviewing a table of data, third and fourth graders decide which statements are true and which ones are false. The bottom of...
Curated OER
Communication Delay
Construct a maze in your classroom and have a blindfolded scientist act as a space rover, maneuvering unfamiliar terrain while another scientist plays commander. Classmates record the number of occurrences of the commander having to...
Curated OER
Finding Ocean Depth
How to oceanographers measure the sea's depth? Your scientists will step into their shoes in this application learning exercise, first reading about how the speed of sound and a simple formula give scientists a depth estimation. Students...
Curated OER
The Physics of Sound: How We Produce Sounds
First graders construct a KWL chart on sound. In this physics instructional activity, 1st graders describe different ways to produce sound. They explain how sound waves propagate.
Curated OER
Physics of Sound: How We Hear Sounds
Second graders identify the different function and parts of the ear. In this physics lesson plan, 2nd graders explain how we hear sound. They read about the life of Helen Keller and respond to questions that follow.
Curated OER
The Rocket Sled
In this secondary mathematics instructional activity, high schoolers use the given information regarding a rocket’s distance and time to calculate the speed of sound. The one page instructional activity contains one problem with...
Curated OER
Speed of Sound in Air
In this speed of sound worksheet, students determine how fast sound travels in air using a tuning fork of known frequency, a graduated cylinder and hollow glass tubing. Students record their data and calculate the wavelength of a...
Curated OER
Sound
In this sound worksheet, students understand how sound is created and how the human ear "hears." Students compare the frequency, amplitude, and speed of sound. Then students complete 10 matching, 7 fill in the blank, and 11 short answer...
Curated OER
Telecommunication
Each of these slides has notes for a teacher to support the activities that are planned for the students. The slides give details and facts about sound waves. Although this slide show delivers useful information about the sound waves,...
Curated OER
Wave Speed
In this waves worksheet, students use the equation for wave speed to calculate frequency or wavelength. This worksheet has 5 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Physics 210: 24
In this physics 210 worksheet, learners answer the question of the predicted modes of oscillations heard based on the information provided in the word problems. Students apply their understanding of sound waves to answer the questions...
Curated OER
Speed of Sound
Students examine the phenomenon of sounds traveling slower than light. They discover why they see things before they hear them and how to estimate the speed of sound as homework.
Curated OER
Let's Measure the Speed of Sound
Third graders measure the speed of sound using scientific investigative techniques.
Curated OER
Architectural Acoustics
In this acoustics activity, students use a chart of the speed of sound through different materials to determine which materials should be used to build certain building types. Students complete 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Curricular Correlations
First graders listen to prerecorded sounds and put them into categories. They discus the sounds that would be heard outdoors, and indoors. They go outside for a few minutes and take a "hearing walk." Then they come inside and close their...
Curated OER
The Sounds of Summer
Students experiment with measuring the speed of sound in an open field by clapping hands and measuring the time delay between the clap and hearing the sound at a long distance. Students practice solving equations at completion of activity.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Lab: Measuring the Speed of Sound in Air (With Uncertainty Analysis)
Using a measurement technique called measurement and uncertainty, students will measure the speed of sound. Students need to use a microphone and Vernier LabQuest to record and measure the sound of a finger-snap echo.
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: School of Physics: Physclips: Sound
Physiclips thoroughly presents the concept of sound with animations and film clips. Learn about the properties of sound and the physics behind sound waves with this site.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Thermophysical Properties of Fluid Systems
At this site, the student can find out thermophysical properties of different fluids and gases.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Physics of Hearing: Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength
By the end of this section, you will be able to define pitch; describe the relationship between the speed of sound, its frequency, and its wavelength; describe the effects on the speed of sound as it travels through various media; and...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Wave Speed Calculations
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate and analyze characteristics of waves, including velocity, and calculate the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength.
Physics Central
Physics Central: Physics at Your Desk: Drumming Fingers
An easy experiment through which students explore sound waves while tapping their fingers on a desk or table in a quiet room.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Water Tube Resonance Experiment
Online physics lab experiment in which students use resonating waves inside of a closed-end air column to determine the speed of sound. The form allows students to check their answers and receive immediate feedback.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Speed of Sound
Physics tutorial on measuring the speed of sound in dry air. An interactive form allows the student to practice solving problems involving the temperature dependence of the speed of sound.