Controlling Sound
In this activity, students use a variety of materials to design and create headphones that absorb sound. Students apply steps of the engineering design process to identify a problem, develop possible solutions, select the most promising solution, create their prototypes, and test and evaluate their prototypes as well as make needed improvements.
Students create headphones that absorb soundCopyright https://www.sciencefocus.com/buyers-guides/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/
Acoustical engineers study sound and design headphones that reflect and absorb sound to protect against hearing damage. In this activity, students are acting as acoustical engineers as they design headphones using sound-absorbing materials. Engineers use the engineering design process to design prototypes which students will have the opportunity to do in today's activity.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain that some materials absorb sound, while others reflect it.
- Apply the engineering design process to design and test headphones that absorb sound.