Vibrations are when an object moves very fast from side to side.

How sounds are made

Science

How vibrations travel

Vibrations and solid materials

Louder and quieter sounds

Measuring the volume of sounds

Sound insulation

Noise pollution (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Distance from sounds: plan

Distance from sounds: do and review

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

Vibrations need a medium to travel, such as a solid, liquid or gas.

A diagram is a simplified drawing of information.

Vibrations travel in sound waves which spread out in all directions.

A solid is something that holds its shape and is not a liquid or a gas.

Taut means to be stretched firmly or tightly.

In a conclusion, scientists explain what the results show or mean.

A vibration is when an object moves very fast from side–to–side.

A loud sound is one that is easily heard, such as shouting.

A quiet sound is one that is not as easily heard, such as a whisper.

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

We compare things by looking at what is the same and what is different.

We can compare objects by looking at what is the same about them and what is different.

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

A data logger is an electronic device that monitors and records changes in the environment over time.

The volume of a sound is measured in decibels (dB).

Materials are the things that objects are made from such as wood, metal or plastic.

A sound insulator does not allow sound to pass through it easily.

To classify is to sort objects into groups.

Noise pollution is when sound becomes extremely unpleasant or unbearable and is a problem.

The volume of sound is measured in decibels (dB).

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

Distance is the amount of space between two things.

Enquiry means to investigate something to find out more.

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

Working scientifically: Asking relevant questions - Distance from sounds

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

Working scientifically: Reporting on enquiry findings - Distance from sounds

Pitch is a measure of how high or how low a sound is.

To detect something is to find it or discover that it is present.

A pattern is a series of data that repeats in a recognisable way.

To affect something or someone is to change it or how it behaves.

The results of a test or enquiry is what happened or what was found out.

Vibrating is when an object moves very fast from side to side.

A musical instrument is an object that produces musical sounds.

How pitched a sound is tells us how high or how low it is.

When a change occurs between two things, we can observe how one thing affects another.

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Introduction to sound

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