The Instruments
For this project we had to make three instruments each fitting the required categories of wind, chime, and string instruments. For our wind instrument we created a set of PVC panpipes. We took pieces of PVC pipe, cut it to the required lengths and then filled the holes on one end with a penny and duct tape. In order to make sound with it, you blow over the hole for your mouth. Our second instrument was a set of chimes. In order to make these we took metal pipes of various lengths and drilled holes in them, threaded string through those holes, and then strung them into a square frame. To make sound with them you hit individual pipes with a metal object. Our last instrument was an electric guitar. We made this by first creating a base, then we attached a guitar string. In order to make sound you pluck the string and hold down on the string at the other end at various lengths. The document below goes into further detail about how these make noise and how they are constructed and the science that goes into these.
Concepts
Wavelength: Wavelength is the distance from any point on one wave to the same point on the next wave. It can be calculated using the equation: wavelength =v/f
Frequency: Frequency is how many vibrations a wave has in a period of time. Frequency is measured in Hz, which is waves per second. It can be calculated using f=wave speed/wavelength, or f=1/period.
Wave Speed: Wave speed is the speed at which a wave travels.It is calculated by the formula wave speed=D/t, or
wave speed = f/wavelength. Wave speed is measured in m/s.
Period: Period is the amount of time between vibrations in a wave. It is measured in seconds. Period can be calculated using the equation: Period =1/f.
Amplitude: Amplitude is the distance from a wave's equilibrium to it's crest. It is the volume in sound waves. Amplitude is measured in meters and there is no formula because it is just a distance.
Transverse wave: Transverse waves travel in one direction, and the direction they vibrate in is perpendicular to the direction they travel. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of tranverse waves, which is made up of visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, x-ray, gamma, radio, and microwave. Tranverse waves are faster than alternative waves and can also travel through a vacuum.
Longitudinal wave: Longitudinal waves are the second type of wave. Their direction of travel and vibration are the same. A longitudinal wave compresses and expands whatever medium it travels. An example of a longitudinal wave is a sound wave. Longitudinal waves travel slower than transverse waves. Since they need a medium to move, longitudinal waves cannot move in a vacuum, such as space. So whenever you watch a movie, and there is an explosion in space, and you hear it, they are lying to you. True story.
Reflection
I thought this project went fairly well. One of our peaks was that we worked well together, because we all knew each other, the casual environment really helped us when it came to dividing labor, collaborating, and communicating. I also think we did well as far as creating ideas. There was rarely a lull when we didn't know what to do or were stuck without ideas. I think those components definitely made this project more fun than previous projects. One of the problems was staying on task. I personally got distracted a lot. By the end i probably spent more time not working then working. Another problem was that I am very good at procrastinating. I found various creative ways to stall, and out off doing work. This didn't help the fact that I got distracted a lot. All said and done, I think we did fairly well and that this project went far more smoothly then other projects.
For this project we had to make three instruments each fitting the required categories of wind, chime, and string instruments. For our wind instrument we created a set of PVC panpipes. We took pieces of PVC pipe, cut it to the required lengths and then filled the holes on one end with a penny and duct tape. In order to make sound with it, you blow over the hole for your mouth. Our second instrument was a set of chimes. In order to make these we took metal pipes of various lengths and drilled holes in them, threaded string through those holes, and then strung them into a square frame. To make sound with them you hit individual pipes with a metal object. Our last instrument was an electric guitar. We made this by first creating a base, then we attached a guitar string. In order to make sound you pluck the string and hold down on the string at the other end at various lengths. The document below goes into further detail about how these make noise and how they are constructed and the science that goes into these.
Concepts
Wavelength: Wavelength is the distance from any point on one wave to the same point on the next wave. It can be calculated using the equation: wavelength =v/f
Frequency: Frequency is how many vibrations a wave has in a period of time. Frequency is measured in Hz, which is waves per second. It can be calculated using f=wave speed/wavelength, or f=1/period.
Wave Speed: Wave speed is the speed at which a wave travels.It is calculated by the formula wave speed=D/t, or
wave speed = f/wavelength. Wave speed is measured in m/s.
Period: Period is the amount of time between vibrations in a wave. It is measured in seconds. Period can be calculated using the equation: Period =1/f.
Amplitude: Amplitude is the distance from a wave's equilibrium to it's crest. It is the volume in sound waves. Amplitude is measured in meters and there is no formula because it is just a distance.
Transverse wave: Transverse waves travel in one direction, and the direction they vibrate in is perpendicular to the direction they travel. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of tranverse waves, which is made up of visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, x-ray, gamma, radio, and microwave. Tranverse waves are faster than alternative waves and can also travel through a vacuum.
Longitudinal wave: Longitudinal waves are the second type of wave. Their direction of travel and vibration are the same. A longitudinal wave compresses and expands whatever medium it travels. An example of a longitudinal wave is a sound wave. Longitudinal waves travel slower than transverse waves. Since they need a medium to move, longitudinal waves cannot move in a vacuum, such as space. So whenever you watch a movie, and there is an explosion in space, and you hear it, they are lying to you. True story.
Reflection
I thought this project went fairly well. One of our peaks was that we worked well together, because we all knew each other, the casual environment really helped us when it came to dividing labor, collaborating, and communicating. I also think we did well as far as creating ideas. There was rarely a lull when we didn't know what to do or were stuck without ideas. I think those components definitely made this project more fun than previous projects. One of the problems was staying on task. I personally got distracted a lot. By the end i probably spent more time not working then working. Another problem was that I am very good at procrastinating. I found various creative ways to stall, and out off doing work. This didn't help the fact that I got distracted a lot. All said and done, I think we did fairly well and that this project went far more smoothly then other projects.