Sound waves
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the movement of particles in a sound wave travelling through a solid, liquid or gas, and explain the relative speed of sound in each state of matter.
Key learning points
- Sound waves are caused when objects vibrate, causing nearby air particles to vibrate as well.
- As a sound wave travels, each bit of air is vibrating parallel to the direction of wave travel, not travelling forwards.
- Sound is a longitudinal wave: the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
- Sound waves are faster in solids/liquids than gases; the particles are very close so vibrations are easily passed on.
- Sound waves are faster in solids than liquids; the strong forces between particles mean vibrations travel even faster.
Keywords
Vibrate - to move back and forth
Sound wave - a ‘pulse’ that travels through a material caused by the vibrations of particles.
Longitudinal wave - a wave, such as a sound wave, where the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
Medium - the material through which a wave travels
Common misconception
Sound is an entity/substance of some kind that travels through air, or is somehow 'carried' by air particles or passed between them in collisions. Sound involves air moving away from a sound source.
Use moving animations to show pupils how the travelling pulses of a longitudinal wave are created from particles vibrating back and forth without being transported. Give pupils time to observe the motion of different single particles.
Teacher tip
Pupils can compare the ease of sound transmission through solids and gases by scratching the desk with and without their ear in contact. Note that linking sound waves to oscilloscope traces or 'waveforms' is left to KS4. The longitudinal motion of particles in sound waves is to be established first.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In a wave, the direction of energy transfer is __________ the direction of wave travel.
Q2.In a transverse wave such as a water wave, the vibrations are __________ to the direction of energy transfer.
Q3.Which of the following words have the same meaning?
Q4.Which of the following words describes a solid that is not easy to bend, stretch or squash?
Q5.Which of the following statements about particles in solids, liquids and gases are correct?
Q6.Which of the following statements about scientific models are correct?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A sound wave is an example of a wave in which the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer. This type of wave is called a wave.
Q2.The material through which a wave travels, such as air or water, is called the .
Q3.Which of the following statements about forces between particles in solids, liquids and gases are correct?
Q4.Which of the following explain why sound waves travel faster in solids than in liquids?
Q5.Two astronauts stand on the Moon wearing space suits and helmets because there is no air. They usually communicate using radios, but their radios break. How can they talk to each other?
Q6.Starting with the vibrating drum skin, sort the following statements to describe how a vibrating drum skin makes a sound wave.
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Sound waves, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Sound waves, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Waves unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.