The build a band project was focused on learning about the various types of waves and then using that knowledge to create a musical instrument. We began this project by learning about transverse and longitudinal waves, along with the various variables associated with waves. We then learned about sound waves and how we hear, later using this to design our instruments.
Physics Terms
longitudinal wave - A wave whose motion is in the same direction as its displacement. Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel through. Examples : sound waves
transverse wave - A wave whose motion is perpendicular to its displacement. Transverse waves do not require a medium. Examples : light rays
wave speed - The rate at which a wave travels
amplitude - The height of a waves displacement
frequency - The number of waves in any given amount of time
period - How long a wave lasts
wavelength - The length of a wave. Can be measured by noting the distance between two adjacent wave crests
sound - Vibrations that travel through a medium which are picked up by your ear
medium - A specific composition of matter(stuff). Examples : air, rock, Earth, water, glass, etc
longitudinal wave - A wave whose motion is in the same direction as its displacement. Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel through. Examples : sound waves
transverse wave - A wave whose motion is perpendicular to its displacement. Transverse waves do not require a medium. Examples : light rays
wave speed - The rate at which a wave travels
amplitude - The height of a waves displacement
frequency - The number of waves in any given amount of time
period - How long a wave lasts
wavelength - The length of a wave. Can be measured by noting the distance between two adjacent wave crests
sound - Vibrations that travel through a medium which are picked up by your ear
medium - A specific composition of matter(stuff). Examples : air, rock, Earth, water, glass, etc
Conclusion
In this project, surprisingly, things went very straight forward and worked as planned. We started off learning about how sound worked and then we were tasked with designing one wind, chime, and strings instrument per group. I chose to design a chime instrument and ended up creating a glockenspiel type instrument. My group managed time very well this project and we finished early. One thing that could have gone better was group collaborating as one member did not work much. Other than that small problem, my group and I produced excellent instruments and worked efficiently on this project.
In this project, surprisingly, things went very straight forward and worked as planned. We started off learning about how sound worked and then we were tasked with designing one wind, chime, and strings instrument per group. I chose to design a chime instrument and ended up creating a glockenspiel type instrument. My group managed time very well this project and we finished early. One thing that could have gone better was group collaborating as one member did not work much. Other than that small problem, my group and I produced excellent instruments and worked efficiently on this project.