Transferring Energy Through Sound

Research Questions:

• How is energy transferred?
• How do vibrations create and transfer energy?

Vibrating objects produce energy. This energy can be transferred to objects like paper and water. Vibrating objects also produce sound. When doing so energy is transferred to the air and then enters our ear so that we hear sound.

Materials:

• Tuning fork
• Piece of paper
• Plastic container of water
• Overhead projector (if available)

Experimental Procedure 

1. Carefully strike the tuning fork against the bottom heel of your shoe. (Note: Striking a tuning fork against something hard can damage the tuning fork. This is why you should strike it on the rubbery sole of your shoe.) Observe the tuning fork…what do you hear and what do you see? Record your observations. (See sample chart.)
2. Carefully strike the tuning fork again on the bottom heel of your shoe. Quickly hold the vibrating tuning fork next to a piece of paper. What did you observe? Record your observations including an illustration. 
3. Fill a plastic container half full with water. Place the container on top of an overhead projector, if available, and turn it on. If one is not available, just watch the water closely.
4. Strike the tuning fork against the bottom heel of your shoe. Quickly stick the tuning fork into the water. Watch the movement on the wall or in the water. You just watched energy being transferred! Record your observations including an illustration. 

Sample chart:

Terms/Concepts: Sound; Vibration; Energy; Energy transfer

References:

http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Sound/vibration.htm