This week in Year 4, we became sound scientists! We’ve been learning that sound is made by vibrations, and we carried out some hands-on experiments to explore this idea.
To see vibrations in action, we sprinkled rice on a drum and gently hit the surface. The rice jumped and danced, showing us that the drum skin was vibrating. We realised that when something moves back and forth quickly, it creates vibrations that we can sometimes see—and always hear!
Next, we investigated how our own bodies create sound. We placed our hands on our throats while we spoke and could feel a buzzing sensation. These were the vibrations from our voice boxes! It was amazing to notice that even when we whisper or hum, our vocal cords are vibrating to produce sound.
We also had some fun with balloons. After blowing them up, we slowly let the air out. The squeaky noises we heard came from the rubber at the opening vibrating as the air rushed past. It was a great way to link the movement of air with the sounds we hear.
Throughout the investigation, we learned that sound always starts with something vibrating—whether it’s a drum, our voice, or a balloon. We had a brilliant time discovering the science behind everyday sounds and understanding the invisible forces that help us hear the world around us.
