Observe how energy is transferred by sound

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4th Grade Science › Observe how energy is transferred by sound

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following is an example of energy being transferred by sound?

A balloon popping

Clog dancing

Meat sizzling on the grill

All of these are examples of energy being transferred by sound.

Explanation

Each of the examples in this question are scenarios in which sound would be transferred because they all cause vibrations that travel through a medium.

2

Energy transferred by sound must travel through a medium. Which answer choice(s) are an example of a medium?

Solid

Liquid

Gas

All answer choices are mediums.

Explanation

Sound waves must travel through a medium. This medium can be a solid, liquid, or gas. The sound waves move through each of these mediums by vibrating the molecules in the matter. Sound travels fastest through solids. Molecules in a solid medium are much closer together than those in a liquid or gas, allowing sound waves to move more quickly through it.

3

Sound energy decreases over distance as it is transferred through matter.

True

False

Explanation

Matter is made up of particles, and energy can be transferred through these particles. Sound energy decreases the further the distance required to travel. As the sound is transferred through matter, it will sound softer and more difficult to hear if the distance between speaker and listener is increased.

4

Asuelu says that an islander blowing on a conch horn is an example of energy being transferred by sound. Kalani says that Asuelu is wrong because a conch horn isn’t a real instrument. Based on what you know about the transfer of sound energy, which argument BEST supports why Asuelu’s statement is correct?

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A conch horn is a real instrument in certain countries, so Kalani is wrong.

Even if a conch horn is not a typical instrument, blowing through it would still cause vibrations to travel through the air, which is how sound energy transfers.

Because conch horns originate in the ocean, they are full of the sounds of the water.

None of these arguments support that blowing on a conch horn is an example of energy being transferred by sound.

Explanation

A conch horn is a wind instrument made from a conch shell. When the player blows into the end of the conch horn, a musical tone is created because the vibrations travel through the air. While it may not be a typical instrument, it does transfer sound energy.

5

What is sound?

Sound is the movement of energy by vibrations through substances in the form of waves.

Sound is the flow of electrons – tiny, negatively charged particles in atoms.

Sound is made up of waves of electromagnetic energy.

Sound is the transfer of thermal energy.

Explanation

When asked, "what is sound," it seems like it is a straightforward definition to explain, but there are so many layers to it that it is a complicated answer. Sound is the movement of energy by vibrations through substances in the form of waves. When a musician bangs a drum, it creates a vibration; this vibration creates sound waves that travel to our ears to be received and processed. Though the waves are invisible, they are still energy transferring information.

6

Lower pitched sounds have a lower frequency than higher-pitched sounds.

True

False

Explanation

The vibrations of low pitched sounds move molecules at a slower rate than the vibrations of higher-pitched sounds. This means that there is more time between vibration pushes. More time between pushes means that the frequency is lower.

7

Which household item is an example of energy being transferred as sound?

An alarm clock

A lamp

A hairbrush

A candle

Explanation

All of these items are household items that use or transfer different types of energy. The only object that transfers energy as sound is an alarm clock. An alarm clock is powered with electricity and then produces a sound when set to wake someone up at a particular time. Vibrations in the air create the soundwaves it provides.

8

What must happen for sound waves to form?

The intensity must largely increase.

The frequency must decrease.

Matter must vibrate.

Sound waves are not reliant on anything to form.

Explanation

Sound is produced when something vibrates. Vibrations travel in longitudinal waves, which create areas of high and low pressure. Without vibrations, these soundwaves cannot be formed.

9

Danthony went to a concert and heard many different bands perform. He noticed that not all singers sounded the same. Some were louder, others quieter, some had high-sounding voices, and others sounded low. What factors of sound waves affect what Danthony was hearing?

Wavelength

Frequency

Amplitude

All of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation

The reason Danthony heard so many different sounding voices at the concert was because of factors that affect sound waves. Wavelength is the measurement of a wave from crest to crest or from trough to trough. The longer the wavelength, the lower the frequency of a sound. Frequency describes how often the particles of a medium vibrate when sound waves pass through the medium. Frequency is measured in Hertz. Frequency determines the pitch of a sound. Pitch determines how we hear the sound. Amplitude is the height of a wave. It measures to the crest or trough of a wave. Amplitude determines how loud a sound is. The larger the amplitude is, the louder the sound will be.

10

Sound travels in outer space.

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True

False

Explanation

Because outer space is a vacuum, there is virtually no air. Since sound is vibrating air, sound does not travel in space. Crashing asteroids, supernovas, and burning planets would be silent.

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