skip to main content
Open Schooling Navigator
HomeOpen Schooling MaterialsSounds around us
7
Research
Preparation time: 15 min
Teaching time: 45 min

How does the distance from the sound source affect its intensity?

Students will test the sound intensity at different distances from the source of a sound. Based on the results, they will create graphs of the relationship between distance and sound intensity.

Format

  • Group work
  • Scientific/technological inquiry

Age

  • 13-16

What

The possible connections with your curriculum

  • Biology
  • Natural science
  • Physical Sciences

Who

The people who take up the teacher role

  • Teacher

Where

The locations where learning takes place

  • Classroom
  • Outdoor spaces

With

The community stakeholders to collaborate with

-

Ready for action?

Resources

Web links

Tangible Resources

Decibel meter, source of sound, rangefinder (optional: tuning forks).

Preparation

Locate a good area to carry out the experiment, prepare resources.

Goals, messages & concepts

Specific goals

  • To scientifically test the relationship between distance and sound intensity.
  • To explore what factors need to be taken into account to achieve accurate data.

Specific messages

  • There is a correlation between sound intensity and the distance between the source of a sound and the measurement site.
  • Other factors affect the accurate recording of data, and need to be taken into account when carrying out experiments and drawing conclusions.

Main terms

  • decibel
  • sound intensity

Practices & skills

STEM practices

  • Analysing and interpreting data
  • Constructing explanations and designing solutions
  • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
  • Using mathematics and computational thinking
  • Asking questions and defining problems
  • Planning and carrying out investigations

Soft skills

  • Learning failure is a part of learning
  • Teamwork and collaboration

Management skills

  • Use of resources

Course of activity

step 1

In an open space such as a field, students will set up an experiment to measure the relationship between a source of sound and the distance you are from that sound. Begin by creating a source of constant sound at a fixed point.

step 2

Use a rangefinder (an instrument used to measure the distance from the instrument to a selected point or object) to measure the distance between the source of a sound and the measurement site. Use a decibel meter to measure the sound level at the measurement site.

step 3

Vary the distance and measure the sound level several times. Record the results in a table.

step 4

Students will learn how to convert sound level to intensity, measured in decibels. They will then apply this formula to their data, with support.

step 5

Based on the results, they will then create a graph of sound intensity in relation to distance from the source.

step 6

They will analyse this data and develop conclusions concerning the impact of distance on sound intensity. Discuss what potential errors could occur in collecting the data, including measurement errors, and what factors need to be taken into account to achieve accurate data.

step 7

All of the students’ data will be collated in a graph for comparison.