In science, Year 4 have been learning about sound. We started by learning that sound is made when something vibrates. These vibrations cause the particles around the sound source to vibrate too, create ripples that travel away like waves. Usually, we hear sound travelling through air but we discovered it can also travel through solids and liquids.
To explore this idea further, to explore this idea further, we tried a simple experiment. The children placed their hands gently over their larynx (voice box) while talking. They were amazed when they could feel the vibrations! This was a great way to understand that sound starts with movement.
Next, we investigated how sound travels to our ears. The children scratched their desks with a fingernail and listened carefully. Then they tried it again, this time with their ear resting on the desk. Everyone noticed the sound was much louder! This led to a great class discussion and we determined that the particles in the solid desk were vibrating with the sound wave. Because the particles in a solid are much closer together than in a gas, the sound waves can pass along more easily – making the sound louder and clearer.
We later compared how light and sound travel before moving on to a hands-on activity that everyone was excited about: making string telephones! In pairs, pupils carefully followed instructions to create their own telephones out of paper cups and string. They were amazed when they discovered that the sound of their voice travelled along the string – another solid – thanks to vibrations!
