Social Distance Learning Project: Vibrating Gongs

Vibrations or sound sound waves, make up the sound we hear.  Sound waves can travel through solids, liquids and gases as vibrations.  We’ll be making sound waves with this experiment and comparing their vibrations around you.

Video Tutorial: vibrating gongs video

YOU’LL NEED: metal coat hanger, yarn/twine

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut two pieces of yarn, both one foot long.

2. Tie one of strings to the bottom of the hanger so it sits on the left side.  Do the same for the right.

3.  Wrap the free end of the left yarn around your left index finger.

4.  Wrap the free end of the right yard around your right index finger.

5.  Hold both wrapped fingers to your ears.  The upside down  hanger should dangle below your neck.

6.  Gently tap the neck of the hanger on a hard surface.

Did you hear the sound waves?  Did you feel the vibrations?  Try other services.  Here are some suggestions: Wall, table, chair, curtain, pillow, tree, coat, someone’s leg (with permission of course)

Compare the results.  Which surfaces make the loudest sound?  Quietest?  Which surfaces don’t work well?  Depending on the surface, the vibrations will be absorbed.  So, testing your “gong” on a blanket should have quieter results than if you tested it on a fence.

Sponsored by National Grid.