What Soundproofing Material Works Best?
Students first explore different materials to see what types reduce the most amount of sound when placed in a box. Each group is assigned a different material and they fill their box with that specific material. Students measure the sound level of a tone playing from inside the box using a decibel reader from outside the box. Students share this data with the class and analyze which types of materials absorb the most sound and which reflect the most sound.
Foam is an excellent soundproofing material. What other kinds of material absorb sound?Copyright 2017 Michael Coghlan, CC-BY-SA-2.0, Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecogh/24743359237
Students use the engineering design process to design and create soundproof rooms that use only one type of material. They learn and explore about how these different materials react to sound by absorbing or reflecting sound. By doing so, students act as acoustical engineers. Acoustical engineers are primarily concerned with sound; they often work with other engineers and construction professionals to design rooms and buildings to reduce or enhance sounds, such as designing a classroom with sound-damping walls or a concert hall with a sound-reflecting ceiling.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate and explore which materials absorb sound.
- Demonstrate and explore which materials reflect sound.
- Communicate testing results with their classmates.
- Apply their knowledge of sound to real-life situations.