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Curricular Unit: Sound and Light

Contributed by: Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder

Two images illustrate light and sound. On the left, a color guide shows the colors in the visible spectrum; on the right, an image shows the visible pattern of sound waves, as emitted from a horn (circa 1960).

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Grade: 3 (3-5)


Summary

The Sound and Light unit provides students with an understanding of sound and light waves through the theme of the "Sunken Treasure," a continuous story line throughout the lessons. In Lessons 1-5, students learn about sound, and in Lessons 6-10, they explore the concepts of light. The first lesson introduces the concepts of longitudinal and transverse waves. Students then move on to the concepts of wavelength and amplitude in transverse waves. In the third lesson, students learn about sound through the introduction of frequency and how it applies to musical sounds. Next, girls and boys learn all about echolocation — what it is and how engineers use it to "see" things in the dark, or deep underwater. The last of the five sound lessons introduces acoustics, in which students learn how different materials reflect and absorb sound.


Engineering Connection

Engineers create things for the benefit of society; they use sound and light waves for the creation of many things used daily for improved living, safety or prevention of harm. Sonar, reading glasses, light bulbs, stereo equipment, and lasers, among many other, are just a few things that engineers are involved in designing and creating. In order to develop the technologies used in the creation of these things that improve our daily lives, engineers must have an excellent understanding of how sound and light waves work, as well as wavelengths and amplitudes of waves, in order to apply them to new technology. For example, engineers help design ocean vessels (they travel on ocean waves) and tsunami detection devices to help warn people of the approach of the dangerous tidal waves. Frequency is also a very important concept for engineers to understand. Engineers use their knowledge of frequencies to design many commonly used items: lights, televisions and even traffic signals. And, frequency is an important part of music, as notes with different frequencies make different sounds. Acoustic engineers help design theatres and auditoriums that allow everyone to hear the sounds produced on stage. Being able to see is crucial for many things that we do every day. Engineers and scientists have developed lights to help us see in the dark. Lighting engineers design the lighting systems in the places we live and work. Without their expertise, our day-to-day sight could be worse (than it might already be) due to poor lighting conditions and strain on our eyes. The list of how engineers use waves to improve society goes on and on, such as the use electromagnetic waves in: Gamma radiation, emitted by fuel rods in nuclear power plants; x-rays, used to see inside our bodies; ultraviolet light, used to sanitize; microwaves, used to cook; and radio waves, used to communicate over large distances. Clearly, there are a vast number of additional uses of sound and light waves in engineering design… can you discover more uses? Can you see the connection between engineering and improved sight? Between engineering and enhanced television sound? The engineering connections are many and endless!


Keywords: acoustics, acoustical engineering, amplitude, echolocation, electromagnetic spectrum, frequency, ocean waves, optics, light, longitudinal waves, music, radar, radiation, sonar, sound, sound waves, transverse waves, tsunami, waves, wavelength


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Copyright

© 2009 by Regents of the University of Colorado. This digital library content was developed by the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program.

Supporting Program

Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder

Last Modified: March 4, 2009
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