SOUND WAVES

This activity is easy to set up, and gives the student a visual about how sound waves move.

MATERIALS

5 marbles
Flat surface

PROCEDURE

1. Line 4 marbles up in a straight line on a flat surface, close enough that they are touching each other.
2. Shoot the 5th marble so that it hits the end marble.
3. Observe. Discuss.

EXPLANATION

Each marble contains a certain amount of energy called Potential Energy. When the 1st marble hits the second marble, the Potential Energy is converted to Kinetic Energy (energy of movement) and passes its energy on down the line to the third marble, and so forth. This passing of energy from one marble to the next illustrates the way a sound wave is produced.