Science NIE ACTIVITY
is a series presented in
MATTERS!
… IN CONNECTICUT
By Raisa Roginsky, Guilford High School Physics Teacher
Making Noise,
Make Waves
Each year after AP exams, I look forward to engaging my students in a fun project
related to what they have learned during the year, so we participate in the competition
sponsored by Connecticut Association of Physics Teachers (CAPT) that is attended by
high school physics students from all over the state. It happens in Lake Compounce
Amusement Park and is the perfect ending to the year of studying physics. Every
year, CAPT comes up with a new project for the students. Last spring, students had
to build a machine powered only by gravity, which could produce as many different
sounds as possible.
Sound is a compression wave, where compressions and rarefactions spread
through a medium (such as air or water). If the frequency of these vibrations is
between 20 and 20,000 hertz, and if the vibration has enough energy in it (measured
in decibels), we perceive it as sound. Dogs and dolphins can hear higher frequencies,
but the range humans can hear is also quite impressive. Sound spreads with the speed
of about 300 meters per second in air and faster in water.
For last spring’s project, Guilford physics students worked for one week generating
excellent ideas, many of which were rejected because there was not enough time
or resources to implement them. However, the idea they selected was to create a
tower for a marble to roll down. On its way, the marble hit a xylophone, connected
an electric circuit which exploded a balloon and struck a match. The flame from the
match caused a fire alarm to sound and then a string to burn which activated a yodeling
pickle toy. This type of device is also known as a Rube Goldberg machine. The
tower produced sounds of varying frequencies and intensities. It also incorporated
the physics concepts of conservation of energy, electric circuits, heat, and pressure.
The other half of the competition was a photo contest in which students had to
present a photo that demonstrated an aspect of physics related to waves and sound.
The students submitted a photo that showed a water droplet acting as a lens and as
a prism and initiating wave motion in a bowl of water.
After the competition, we all went to the rollercoasters and experienced some laws
of physics first hand!
Skills and Knowledge:
To study physics you must have a strong understanding of mathematics, beginning
with algebra and trigonometry. Teaching physics or any other science usually requires
a master’s degree in that subject. If you wish to conduct physics research, you will
need to obtain a PhD. I am certified to teach math, Russian, and physics. I teach
physics because it is mathematics rooted in life, and as such, opens the doors to
many careers -- from rocket science to medicine and finance. There is a great need
for physics teachers in Connecticut and across the country!
Science Matters!
collaboration with the Connecticut Academy of
Science and Engineering.
For more information, visit www.ctcase.org
or call 860.571.7143.
WORDS TO KNOW
Compression Wave – a shock wave that compresses the
medium through which it is transmitted
Rarefaction – a state or region of minimum pressure in a
medium traversed by compressional waves
Frequency – the number of waves that passes a given
point per second.
Hertz – standard unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per
second.
Decibels – a unit used to express the intensity of a sound
wave
Rube Goldberg machine – a device that is deliberately
over-engineered to perform a very simple task in a very
complicated fashion, usually including a chain reaction.
Meet the Scientist
I grew up in the Soviet Union. I thought my high school physics teacher was great. His methods
were very different from what is common here. He would lecture for most of the week (very well
though), and then administer oral examinations the rest of the time. I always wanted to know
the topic well so that I could answer his questions in front of the class and not be embarrassed. I
decided to try teaching after I had a baby while still in the Soviet Union. Back then many schools
did not want to hire me because I am Jewish, but eventually I did get a job. I came to the U.S. in
1994. I have also always enjoyed reading, languages and poetry.
Helpful Hyperlinks:
Okay Go, Rube Goldberg Machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w
Phet Interactive Physics Simulations
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics
Common Core State Standards (CCSS): Mathematics
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 Model with mathematics
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically
Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE): Science Framework
• Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena.
• Scientific inquiry progresses through a continuous process of questioning, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
• Scientific inquiry requires the sharing of findings and ideas for critical review by colleagues and other scientists.