Bell Sounds

A bell makes a sound when it is hit by the clapper. When the clapper hits the bell slowly, a low pitch is heard. When the clapper hits the bell quickly, a high pitch is heard. Which statement BEST explains why the bell can provide a low pitch sound and a high pitch sound?

• The vibrations in the bell are faster when the clapper hits the bell slowly.

• The vibrations in the bell are slower when the clapper hits the bell quickly.

• The vibrations occur at the same speed.

• The vibrations occur at different speeds.

Anna is shaking a sheet of metal to make the sound of thunder for her school play. What will happen if she shakes the sheet of metal more quickly?

• The vibrations will be faster and produce a quieter sound.

• The vibrations will be faster and produce a higher sound.

• The vibrations will be slower and produce a lower sound.

• The vibrations will be slower and produce a louder sound.

When a book is dropped onto a table, the molecules in the table vibrate from the force of the book. The vibrations cause which of the following to be produced?

• friction

• interference

• sound waves

• ultrasonic waves

A student noticed that the sound of a fork tapping on an empty glass changed when water was added to the glass. Why did the sound change?

• The thickness of the glass interferes with the vibration of the fork.

• Sound quality varies with the type of liquid used.

• Sound travels faster in water than through the air.

• The amount of water in the glass affects how fast the glass vibrates.

While playing his guitar, Julio tightened one of the guitar strings. The sound of the guitar changed. Why did the sound change?

• The pitch decreased.

• The volume increased.

• The velocity decreased.

• The vibration rate increased.

If you have your left ear pressed to the surface of a wooden table and a partner taps the table with a ruler, why would the sound in your left ear be different from the sound in your right ear?

• Sound waves travel to the right ear through a gas, but sound waves do not reach the left ear.

• The right ear receives sound waves that traveled through a gas, but the left ear receives vibration instead of sound.

• The right ear receives sound waves that traveled through a gas, but the left ear receives sound waves that traveled through a solid.

• Sound waves travel more slowly through a solid, so the tapping sound will reach the left ear after the same sound has reached the right ear.

In which way are all of the musical instruments alike?

• They all use a vibration to make sound waves.

• They all send sound waves in only one direction.

• They all make sound waves with the same amplitude.

• They all make sound waves when two objects strike one another.