What it shows
Sound is a vibration. Your voice makes the cup vibrate, the tight string carries the vibration, and the other cup turns it back into sound.
This idea has a short entry only. For the science behind it, read the sentence above with your textbook and ask your teacher to explain the law or idea it shows, so you can describe it in your own words.
Materials
- Two paper cups
- 3 to 10 metres of string
- Two toothpicks or matchsticks
- A pencil to make the holes
Safety
This project uses safe, everyday materials. Still, read the rules below with a parent before you start.
Never use mains electricity: power models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Sharp and hot tools, flames and lab chemicals need an adult or your teacher beside you. Keep magnets, button cells and small parts away from young children, and wash your hands after making.
All the safety rulesHow to go about it
Numbered steps have not been written for this idea yet. Plan it with your teacher: sketch the design with measurements, build one part at a time, test each part, and write every observation with the date. The free ebooks below have step-by-step projects of the same kind.
Take it further
Does it still work when the string is slack or touching something? Try thread, wool and fishing line.
Change one thing, measure what happens, and add a table or chart of your readings: that is what turns a model into your own investigation.
Free ebooks for this project
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Twenty classic models, how each works and how to make it
Find out more about physics
Free, well-known places to explore the subject further. Ask a grown-up before you sign up for anything or type your name anywhere.