Sound and Music Module


The Sound and Music module consists of 11 missions (assignments) that address such topics as the nature of a sound wave, properties of a sound wave, intensity level and the deciBel scale, the Doppler effect, resonance, and standing wave patterns for string instruments and open- and closed-end air columns. The 11 missions and the corresponding objectives are listed below.  Tap a mission's name to begin.
 

Quick Links to Missions:



 

Mission Objectives:


Mission SM1: The Nature of a Sound Wave

Objective
  • The student should be able to describe several fundamental concepts concerning the nature of a sound wave.
  

 

Mission SM2: Characteristics of Sound Waves

Objectives
  • The student should be able to identify and describe the characteristics of amplitude, wavelength and frequency for a sound wave.
  • The student should be able to identify factors effecting (and not effecting) the speed of a sound wave.
 
 

Mission SM3: Sound Intensity and DeciBel Levels

Objectives
  • The student should be able to recognize the role of the deciBel system and understand its logarithmic nature.
  • The student should be able to compare sounds in terms of their intensity and deciBel level.
 
 

Mission SM4: The Doppler Effect

Objective
  • The student should be able to describe the Doppler effect and its underlying causes.
 
 

MissionSM5: Resonance and Standing Wave Patterns

Objectives
  • The student should be able to identify the cause and result of resonance and the basic vocabulary associated with resonance.
  • The student should be able to associate standing wave patterns with harmonic numbers and identify the frequency relationships for the various harmonics of a vibrating object.
 
 

Mission SM6: Harmonics for String Instruments

Objectives
  • The student should be able to identify the standing wave patterns for stringed instruments and use them to state the length-wavelength relationships.
  • The student should be able to recognize the relationship between the frequencies of the various harmonics for stringed instruments.
 
 

Mission SM7: Mathematics of String Instruments

Objectives
  • The student should be able to determine the wavelength and frequency of a standing wave in a guitar string if given the speed, harmonic number and length of the string.
  • The student should be able to determine the wavelength and the length of a guitar string if given the frequency of a harmonic, the wave pattern and the speed of waves in the string.
 
 

Mission SM8: Harmonics for Open-End Air Columns

Objectives
  • The student should be able to identify the standing wave patterns for open-end air columns and use them to state the length-wavelength relationships.
  • The student should be able to recognize the relationship between the frequencies of the various harmonics for open-end air columns.
 
 

Mission SM9: Mathematics for Open-End Air Columns

Objectives
  • The student should be able to determine the wavelength and frequency of a standing wave in a open-end air column if given the speed, harmonic number and length of the air column.
  • The student should be able to determine the wavelength and the length of an open-end air column if given the frequency of a harmonic, the wave pattern and the speed of waves in the air.
 
 

Mission SM10: Harmonics for Closed-End Air Columns

Objectives
  • The student should be able to identify the standing wave patterns for closed-end air columns and use them to state the length-wavelength relationships.
  • The student should be able to recognize the relationship between the frequencies of the various harmonics for closed-end air columns.
 
 

Mission SM11: Mathematics for Closed-End Air Columns

Objectives
  • The student should be able to determine the wavelength and frequency of a standing wave in a closed-end air column if given the speed, harmonic number and length of the air column.
  • The student should be able to determine the wavelength and the length of an closed-end air column if given the frequency of a harmonic, the wave pattern and the speed of waves in the air.