Physics 620A: Sound

Teachers will learn about the nature and characteristics of sound. Topics studied include how sound travels, the different types of waves, vibrations, loudness of sound, musical instruments, the speed of sound, the Doppler effect, and the human ear. Activities include making sound, demonstrating the Doppler effect, demonstrating wave movement, building musical instruments, and many others.

Assignments:

Each student will be expected to purchase a reading booklet at the time of registration or at the first class. This booklet will contain material that should be read before the beginning of the second class. For our typical course, there are two full eight-hour days of classes, although other schedules are possible. There must be several days between the two full day classes to allow a project to be completed.

Between the two classes, each student is required to complete a project consisting of researching and building a musical instrument. This instrument, which can be quite simple, must be described and played during the last class day. The primary consideration is your understanding of the instrument, your ingenuity in producing it, and your description of how other teachers could also use it. A short typed description (perhaps only 2-3 pages) must be handed in giving resource material, instructions for building and using the item. A short discussion of how this project might be useful in the classroom would be appropriate. Do not put binders of any kind on your report. Use a cover sheet and staple the report in the upper left-hand corner. Also during the second class you will give a short (5-8 minutes) presentation to the class. Some useful information will be given in this booklet to help with the project, but each student is expected to do further research to improve on the ideas presented here. Do not just copy what is given here. Try to improve it.

Grading:

Because this is a graduate level class, only passing grades of A and B (with + and - possible) are given. A C grade is failing. It is also possible to audit the class, but ALL the work must be completed, including the project. Grades will be primarily assigned by the local adjunct professor and will depend on class attendance and participation as well as the presentation of the homework project. This presentation includes the oral one before the class as well as the document handed in describing the project. See the discussion above in Assignments. Anyone failing to complete the class will be given a grade of Incomplete, which if not completed will eventually result in a grade of F.

Reading Booklet:

A reading booklet will be prepared for class members that includes useful information on sound as well as possible homework projects and teacher applications. This booklet will be available at the first class.

Instructor Contact:

Contact the local adjunct professor during the first class for her/his address and office hours. Professor Thornton may be contacted as described on the previous page.

Lesson Plan:

First Day of Class

Second Day of Class

Teacher Activities:

The following is a list of Teacher Activities that are available in the course.

Teacher Projects:

Try to have only one person in a class per project. Reference material is contained in the Teacher Project folder that your instructor has, but we do not have copyright permission to make additional copies. Remember that you are expected to use other reference material, not just the material contained here!

Wind

String

Percussion

Miscellaneous

References:

Teacher Investigations:

SOLs Covered: