An object that vibrates to make a sound is called a sound source.

The volume of a sound is how loud or quiet the sound is.

A fair test is an investigation in which only one thing is changed and another is measured. All other things are kept the same.

To evaluate is to think about what you did and suggest any changes or improvements.

Working scientifically: Reporting on enquiry findings - Distance from sounds

British English CC

Distance from sounds: do and review

Science

How sounds are made

How vibrations travel

Vibrations and solid materials

Louder and quieter sounds

Measuring the volume of sounds

Sound insulation

Noise pollution: acceptable decibel levels (non-statutory)

Distance from sounds: plan

Higher and lower sounds

Changing the pitch of sounds

Musical instruments and pitch

In this Introduction to sound unit, pupils learn that sounds are made by vibrations and that vibrations travel through a medium to the ear. In the Sound, light and vision unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn more about how sound waves travel through different types of medium and are absorbed and reflected.

Pupils will draw upon exploration of making and listening to different sounds in EYFS and their own everyday experiences. In this Introduction to sound unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating

This unit explores how sounds are made through vibrations, how they travel through mediums, and how pitch and volume relate to vibration strength. It also covers why sounds get fainter with distance. The emphasis is on practical enquiries, observations, and using results to draw conclusions.

Introduction to sound

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

Scientists often use a table to __________ data from observations and measurements.

The volume of a sound depends on the {{}} from the sound source.

The greater the distance from the sound source, the __________ the sound.

What do scientists often do when they evaluate a completed enquiry?

Use a long tape measure instead of just one metre stick.

Keep increasing the volume of the sound used, the further you move away from it.

Which of these improvements might be made to an investigation about the volume of sounds?

Which of the following sounds would you hear the loudest?

An object that vibrates to create a sound is called ...

The volume of sounds are measured in {{}}.

Which of the following would create good sound insulation?

Sound waves need a {{}} to travel through to be heard.

What equipment can you use to measure the volume of sounds?

Scientists ask questions about how the volume of a sound depends on the distance from the sound {{}}.

Starter Quiz