Energy Transfer in Musical Instruments
An illustration of internal energy being transferred from a hot object to a cold one, where Q/t represents amount of heat transferred in time t.Copyright http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/heatra.html
This lesson covers concepts of energy and energy transfer, with a focus on energy transfer in musical instruments. More specifically, students learn the two different ways in which energy can be transferred between a system and its environment. The law of conservation of energy is also described. Example systems are presented (two cars on a track and a tennis ball falling to the ground) and students make predictions and explain the energy transfer mechanisms. The engineering focus becomes clear in the associated activity when students apply the concepts learned in the lesson to design musical instruments. The systems analyzed in the lesson help in discussing how to apply conservation of energy and energy transfer to make things.
Engineers must understand energy transfer to design instruments that produce beautiful music. Energy transfer is a central concept in the majority of engineering designs.
At lesson end, students should be able to:
- Define energy, heat, energy transfer, work and thermal equilibrium.
- Explain how to utilize the concept of energy transfer to make a musical instrument.
- State the law of conservation of energy.
- Define a system and environment in terms of energy, and describe how energy transfer occurs between the two.