Ready for action?
Resources
Web links
Tangible Resources
A long string of beads, cardboard, fan, tuning forks, tripod, swing (which can be a tripod with two hinges on it), a doll (or any object to put on the swing), string, weights, mobile phone.
Preparation
Prepare a selection of materials students could choose to use.
Goals, messages & concepts
Specific goals
- To understand the phenomenon of resonance and see it in everyday life.
- To design resonance experiments, creating the conditions that must be met for the phenomenon of resonance to occur.
Specific messages
- Resonance is a natural phenomenon we see in everyday life.
- Waves can damage bridges/buildings due to resonance.
Main terms
- resonance
- wave
- period
- frequency
- amplitude
- vibration
Practices & skills
STEM practices
- Analysing and interpreting data
- Constructing explanations and designing solutions
- Developing and using models
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
- Asking questions and defining problems
- Planning and carrying out investigations
Soft skills
- Learning failure is a part of learning
- Teamwork and collaboration
Management skills
- Planning
- Use of resources
Course of activity
step 1
Discuss: What will happen to a bridge if there is a strong wind? Students should write their answers down.
step 2
Students will then watch a film about the Tacoma Bridge. Next, they will brainstorm ideas about where such a phenomenon could take place.
step 3
Explain what the period, frequency and amplitude of vibrations are. Work together to create a definition for ‘resonance’.
step 4
Each group will design and carry out their own experiment to explore the phenomenon of resonance. These are some ideas from students:
- The swing idea
- Swinging is pleasant. Often mothers rock their children to sleep. Can it be dangerous? How does this relate to the phenomenon of resonance? What could happen if the swing moved in such a way that the amplitude of the vibration increases too much due to resonance?
- The bridge idea
- Using materials available, build a model of a bridge and simulate wind with the use of an acoustic cannon or fan. Is it easy to destroy the bridge? How should the vibrations be adjusted to destroy the bridge?
- The string idea
- Hang weights of different lengths on a washing line and make one of them vibrate. What will happen to the other weights? Will the length make a difference?
- The beads idea
- For this experiment, prepare a long necklace of beads. Hold the ends taut and swing the middle. What happens when we swing? Is there anything interesting in the swinging of beads?
- The tuning forks idea
- Take two tuning forks, vibrate one of them and bring it close to the other one. What happens to the second tuning fork? Can these vibrations be transmitted? How can these vibrations be examined?
step 5
After these simple experiments, each group will present their experiment to the class and share their conclusions.