Boxi Learn › Science › Stage 1 · Observe and Say
What makes a sound?
SCI-3 Energy changes form but is never made or lostSCI-5 Change one thing, watch one thingX-1 Guess, then check
What many people think
Louder sounds are higher, and sound can travel through empty space.
The idea
Every sound comes from something vibrating, and the vibration needs air, water or a solid to travel through; faster vibrations sound higher.
Explain it
A friend says hitting a drum harder makes the note higher. Use the drum and the ruler to show them what really makes a note higher.
Try at home
Hold a ruler on a table with part of it sticking out, and twang it. Make the part shorter: what happens to the note? Twang harder: what changes? Then put your ear on the table while someone scratches the far end softly.