Sound Waves with PhET V1

Click on "Measure" at the bottom. Adjust the frequency of the sound wave and observe the effect on the wavelength. What happens to the wavelength of the sound wave when you increase the frequency?

• A) The wavelength increases.

• B) The wavelength decreases.

• C) The wavelength stays the same.

• D) The wavelength becomes zero.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Click on "Intro" and then select "listener audio." Adjust the amplitude of the sound wave and observe the loudness of the sound. What happens to the loudness of the sound when you increase the amplitude of the wave?

• A) The loudness decreases.

• B) The loudness increases.

• C) The loudness stays the same.

• D) The sound becomes quieter but still audible.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

In the simulation, adjust the frequency and observe the wavelength. What happens to the wavelength when you decrease the frequency of the sound wave?

• A) The wavelength decreases.

• B) The wavelength increases.

• C) The wavelength stays the same.

• D) The wavelength becomes zero.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Select "Reflection" at the bottom right. Observe the behavior of sound waves when they encounter an obstacle. What happens to the sound wave when it hits a barrier and is reflected back?

• A) The sound wave disappears.

• B) The sound wave is reflected with the same amplitude.

• C) The sound wave is absorbed.

• D) The sound wave bends around the barrier.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

In the simulation, use the speaker to emit a sound wave and observe the behavior of the wave in different mediums. What happens to the sound wave as it travels from a solid to a gas?

• A) The sound wave travels faster in the gas.

• B) The sound wave travels slower in the gas.

• C) The sound wave is blocked in the gas.

• D) The sound wave stays the same.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

In the simulation, adjust the amplitude and observe the sound wave’s behavior. What happens to the energy of the sound wave as you increase its amplitude?

• A) The energy decreases.

• B) The energy increases.

• C) The energy stays the same.

• D) The energy becomes zero.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

In the simulation, decrease the frequency and observe the sound wave. What happens to the wavelength of the sound wave as you decrease the frequency?

• A) The wavelength increases.

• B) The wavelength decreases.

• C) The wavelength stays the same.

• D) The wavelength becomes zero.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

In the simulation, adjust the frequency of the sound wave and observe its relationship to pitch. What happens to the pitch of the sound as the frequency decreases?

• A) The pitch becomes lower.

• B) The pitch becomes higher.

• C) The pitch remains the same.

• D) The pitch is not affected.

Explain how the frequency and amplitude of a sound wave are related to the pitch and loudness of the sound. Can you think of real-life examples?

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

What would happen if the sound waves were emitted in a vacuum? How would the absence of a medium affect the sound? Try it out by selecting "Air Pressure" at the bottom right. Set the density to the minimum and observe the sound waves.