New
New
Year 4

Vibrations and solid materials

I can explain how sounds can travel through a solid medium to our ears.

New
New
Year 4

Vibrations and solid materials

I can explain how sounds can travel through a solid medium to our ears.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sound travels from an object through a medium to our ears.
  2. Vibrations can be heard when travelling through some solids, such as taut string and cups.
  3. Scientists use results to make simple conclusions and raise further questions.
  4. Vibrations travel through a solid medium more quickly. We can hear these sounds louder and more clearly.

Common misconception

Children often think that sounds will be quieter and more muffled when travelling through a solid medium.

It is important for children to try string telephones out for themselves to hear how sounds can be louder and clearer travelling through a solid medium.

Keywords

  • Vibrations - Vibrations are when an object moves very fast from side to side.

  • Medium - Vibrations need a medium to travel, such as a solid, liquid or gas.

  • Solid - A solid is something that holds its shape and is not a liquid or a gas.

  • Taut - Taut means to be stretched firmly or tightly.

  • Conclusion - In a conclusion, scientists explain what the results show or mean.

It will be helpful to have holes pre-cut into the ends of cups for children to thread string through. Children may also need support with tying knots in string to secure their toys. As this lesson explains, string telephones will not work if the string is not taut.
Teacher tip

Equipment

String, scissors, cups with holes pre-cut.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the medium to the object.
Correct Answer:solid,spoon

spoon

Correct Answer:liquid,shampoo

shampoo

Correct Answer:gas,steam

steam

Q2.
Which body part is used to hear sounds?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: ear
nose
eye
hand
tongue
Q3.
Sound waves need to travel through a in order to reach our ears.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: medium, a medium
Q4.
Why can sound not be heard in outer space?
An image in a quiz
It is too dark in outer space for sound waves to travel.
Correct answer: There is no air so no medium for the sound waves to travel.
They can be heard but no one has tested it yet.
Q5.
What causes sounds to be heard?
Vibrations travel to the mouth causing vocal cords to vibrate.
Correct answer: Vibrations travel to the ear causing the eardrum to vibrate.
Vibrations stay in the object and send signals to your ears.
Q6.
Which sentence best describes sounds travelling through a liquid medium?
Sounds cannot be heard underwater.
Correct answer: Sounds can be heard underwater.
Only music can be heard underwater.

6 Questions

Q1.
Sound needs to travel from an object through a to be heard.
Correct Answer: medium, a medium, Medium
Q2.
Which picture shows a taut string?
Correct answer: A
B
C
Q3.
Why does the string on a string telephone need to be taut?
Correct answer: The vibrations can pass through easily.
It is more fun to play with.
You can be further away from your partner.
Q4.
At the end of the investigation, scientists write a to explain what the results show.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: conclusion, review
Q5.
Which statement is correct about vibrations travelling through a solid medium?
You can't hear a sound through a solid medium.
Sounds are quieter and muffled.
Correct answer: Sounds are louder and clearer.
Q6.
Which of the following best describes why sounds can be heard clearly and loudly through a solid medium?
Solids are bright colours so vibrations can pass through more easily.
Solids are heavy so they make louder sounds.
Correct answer: The parts of solids are arranged so that vibrations pass through quickly.

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.