TITLE: Waves

OBSERVATIONS: A science student predicts that the amplitude of the reflected sound will change with frequency of
incident sound waves.

HYPOTHESIS: As the amplitude of the sound wave increases the frequency of sound wave will also increase.

AIM: To investigate whether the amplitude of sound waves is proportional to the frequency of sound waves.

DIAGRAM:

APPARATUS/MATERIALS:

Speaker

Sine tone generator

Decibel meter

PROCEDURE:

1) Set up the speaker, sine tone generator and decibel meter as shown in diagram.
2) Use the tone generator to set a frequency of 50Hz.
3) While playing the tone generator record the amplitude using the decibel meter.
4) Repeat steps for frequencies of 100Hz, 150Hz, 200Hz, 250Hz, 300Hz, 350Hz and 400Hz.

VARIABLES:

MANIPULATED VARIABLES:

 Change in frequency.

CONTROLLED VARIABLES:

 The type of tone used.

RESPONDING VARIABLES:

 The amplitude for each frequency was measured.

THEORY:

Amplitude (a) - amplitude of sound or sound amplitude is experienced as the loudness of sound.

Frequency (ƒ) – frequency of the vibration depends on the pitch of the sound.

If the sound is made louder and with a higher pitch, the shape of the wave changes and the amplitude gets bigger
because the sound is louder. The frequency will increase.
RESULTS:

FREQUENCY / Hz AMPLITUDE / DB

TREATMENT OF RESULTS:

1. Draw a graph of amplitude against frequency.

AMPLITUDE/DB

FREQUENCY/Hz

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS:

If the amplitude of the sound wave increases as the frequency increases then the hypothesis is true.

If the amplitude of sound doesn’t affect the frequency of sound then the hypothesis is false.

PRECAUTIONS:

 Wear ear protectors when doing the lab.

 Close all windows and doors to make room quiet while conducting experiment.

SOURCES OF ERROR:

 Conduct experiment in anechoic chamber to minimize reflection of sound.

CONCLUSION:

If the amplitude of the sound wave increases as the frequency increases then the hypothesis is true