Name:____________________________ Period: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Date:__________________
Sound Waves
Lab
Background Information:
Sound like most forms of energy travels in waves. The wavelength of a sound wave determines
how much energy the sound has. The amplitude of a sound wave determines the volume of the
sound. The frequency of the wave determines the pitch of the sound. During this lab you will be
playing around with the pitch of a sound wave as you alter the frequency of a sound wave.
Materials Needed:
6 Test Tubes
Test Tube Rack
Water
Tape
Metric Ruler
Procedure: (Check off each step after you complete it)
1. Number the test tubes 1 through 6 by placing a piece of tape at the base of the test tube rack.
2. Leave test tube 1 empty. Add water to test tubes 2 through 6 so that each tube has a little
more water than the preceding test tube.
3. Blow across the top of each test tube and listen to the pitch produced. Make a note what
happens to the pitch as you go from test tube #1 with no water to test tube #6 with lots of water.
4. Slowly add or remove water from each test tube so that they sound like the tones in a musical
scale.
5. Measure the length of the air column above the water in each test tube with a metric ruler.
Record your measurements in the data table.
6. Try to play familiar songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday.”
7. Answer the following questions.
Data and Observations
Test Tube #
1
2
3
4
5
6
Increased or Decreased
Pitch
Length of Air Column (cm)
Questions:
1. Try to play the song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Please list the notes for the song below. You will
write them out according to which test tube you had to blow across to create the note.
2. Pick another song you would like to play on your test tubes. What is the name of the song? List out
the notes of this song as you did in problem #1. Call over your teacher and have them listen to your song.
Name of Song:
Notes for Song:
Teacher Initials Verifying Song: _____________
3. What causes the sound you hear when you blow across the top of a test tube?
4. How did changing the lengths of the air columns in the test tubes effect the pitch produced? (Be
specific and detailed)
5. What type of wave is a sound wave? Does sound need a medium to transport energy?
6. How fast do sound waves move through gases, liquids, and solids? Why is there a difference?
7. If you change the wavelength of a sound wave what happens? How is it effected and what does it look
like? (Include pictures with your answers)
Wavelength is Shorter:
Wavelength is Longer: