Sound Waves

Sound waves are the most basic element of music. Without them the world would be a quiet place. They are waves that travel through the air. They have peaks and troughs. Each instrument creates different sound waves. This is why music is performed with a variety of instruments.

The students could be put into groups and each group would explore a different area on sound waves. The different areas would be: Sound and Ears, Frequency, Wavelength, and Pitch, Transverse and Longitudinal Waves, Amplitude, and Standing Waves. After the groups investigate their areas, they would present information to the class.

This could be expanded into a science class because waves are involved with more than just sound. There are waves in light, water, etc. Students could take what they learned about sound waves and extend that knowledge to the other waves.

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