Sound Waves and Vibration

An object produces sound when it vibrates in matter. This could be a solid (for example, earth), a liquid (water), or a gas (air). Most of the time, we hear sounds traveling through the air in our atmosphere.

Sound travels differently through a solid object than through a gas. Because the molecules in a solid are packed much closer together, vibrations are passed along much more easily from one molecule to the next. As a result, sound waves travel faster through solids (such as a length of string) than through gases (like air).

Our friends in Preschool 4 explored the science behind the Power of Movement...sound waves!  When the wooden stick hits the spoon, it creates vibrations which make sound waves.  These sound waves travel up the string and to the ear instead of just spreading out into the air around you. The yarn acts as a conductor -- an object that allows sound waves to travel.