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

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

  

 

Mission SM2: Characteristics of Sound Waves

• 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

• 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

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

 
 

MissionSM5: Resonance and Standing Wave Patterns

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

 
 

 

 

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