What Is Sound?: How Does Sound Travel?

Upon viewing the What is Sound video series, students will be able to do the following: Understand that sound is produced when matter vibrates. Explain that sound energy can travel through air, liquids, and solids, which are generally referred to as mediums. Understand that sound travels in specific types of waves called longitudinal waves. Create a simple diagram of a longitudinal wave. Compare the speed of light and the speed of sound. Explain why you hear the sound of thunder after you see the flash of lightning. Describe the fact that sound travels fastest through solids, slower through liquids, and even slower through gases, such as air. Explain that the intensity of a sound wave is the amount of energy the wave carries through an area per second. A sound wave of greater intensity generally sounds louder. Define frequency as the number of complete waves that pass a point in a certain period of time. Understand that pitch is how high or low a sound is perceived to be. Varying frequencies create different pitches. State several things that can be done to prevent hearing loss: - avoid exposure to loud sounds - always wear ear protection when exposed to loud sounds - see a doctor right away if you have an ear infection - have your hearing checked regularly by a medical professional