SoundWorks

Ear clangers
Pupils put on headphones from which metal grills are suspended by wire. Striking them produces loud ringing sounds contrasting with the quiet tones without the headphones on, showing how well sound travels through solids.

Wave
A large spring is suspended in a clear tube. If you strike the ends pressure waves travel along it which can related to the nature of sound waves. There is also a small spring whose wave pulse you can feel.

Vibrating string
A vertical string is linked to a loudspeaker. As you adjust the frequency of the sound the string shows harmonics as standing waves. The wavelengths of different notes can then be seen.

Tea chest bass
A string joins the centre of a large hollow box to the top of a stick. Plucking it while pulling back the stick to vary the tension produces a variety of notes and you can observe their different oscillations.

Resonance
Pupils can investigate the importance of resonance in the production of sound by using pairs of glockenspiels and wooden drums. One of each pair has been dampened to prevent vibration.

Model ears
Two large scale models show the anatomical arrangement of our internal and external ears. They can be dismantled into three parts and reassembled.

Hearing test
Pupils can find out how high a frequency they can hear. They can link the sound they hear to a read-out of frequency.

Bucket radio
A radio with its speaker removed is connected to a short peg which oscillates to the broadcast. Pupils can touch the peg to feel the vibrations and by placing objects such as the plastic or metal bowls on it, amplify the sound.

Tube tangle
Three tubes are tangled together with openings at each end. Children try to find which ends connect with which, observing the way sound travels along tubes. One tube connects across the middle via a clear section containing different materials.

Delay phone
Pupils can speak into a microphone connected to an electronic circuit which plays back the voice after a short delay. Most find it impossible to continue speaking.Speak into a microphone connected to an electronic circuit which plays back your voice after a short delay. Most people find it impossible to continue speaking.

Stereo hearing
Experiment with different length tubes connected up to headphones and try to work out which direction the sounds come from..

Sound patterns
When they speak into either of the two microphones, pupils can observe the patterns of the sounds they make on the screen.