Y4 Science: Exploring Sound

Our Y4 Scientists began a fascinating new unit this week that focused on sound and how we hear things. 

In our first lesson, they explored the direction of sound and how well it travels both when we wear, or don't wear, ear defenders. the children discovered that their hearing proved to be very accurate without the sound being muffled but was much less accurate once the soundwaves were restricted by ear defenders.

In their second and third experiments the children explored sound as a vibration, learning first that compressed air acts as an amplifier (an air-filled balloon) and vibrations from our voice can also be felt on the balloon. 

They then listened to a tuning fork in close proximity to their ear canal and compared the volume with what they could hear through a solid object, in this case their desk. The children noticed that it was much louder than they had expected! 

What a great start to our new science unit! Well done Y4!