ARP 12 Communication Experiment

ARP 12 Communication Experiment “Retro Style”

Throughout the following activity you and your group will travel to various stations and explore how sound travels through different mediums. You are currently aware that sound travels in the form of electrical current, but this was not always the case. This activity is designed to teach you about the culture that sound technology has come from as well as principals of sound.

Stations: At each station you will be given a variety of materials. The materials will include tin cans, Styrofoam cups, plastic cups, and another connecting material for the sound vibration to carry through. The goal is two connect your two ‘speakers’ (cans, cups, etc.) with connecting material and make observations about how well it works for carrying sound.

General Guidelines for connecting your system:

1. Stand receivers (cans, cups, etc.) with the intact face upward and using a hammer and nail (if necessary) punch a hole in the middle of this face. 2. Thread one end of the connecting medium through one end of the nail holes in each receiver and tie a knot large enough so the string doesn’t come out. (If the material is too thin please use tape to attach it to the can). 3. In pairs, back up until the connecting medium is taught and take turns communicating a message at various volume levels. 4. Make sure you try humming, and changing your pitch.

***Make sure you answer the question sheet for each station; we will debrief after the activity is finished and a portfolio response will be assigned and count as a summative assessment towards your mark. ***

Stations:

1. Air 4. Nylon 2. String 5. Fishing Line (Mono filament) 3. Yarn 6. Ribbon

Portfolio Response:  A minimum of one page in length  Summarizing what you did in your activity  Explaining your observations throughout the experiment as well as what you’ve learned from them  Make sure you make as many connections to proper audio terminology as possible.  Answer any required questions provided by the teacher ARP 12 Communication Experiment “Retro Style” Observation Sheet

Station 1 Materials: Observations:

Station 2 Materials Observations:

Questions:

Which connecting materials seemed to transmit the sound most effectively? Which connecting materials seemed to transmit the sound least effectively? Research into why this might be so, and then report your findings.

This is a simplified experiment that led to current audio technology. Compare and contrast how this relates to the audio technology we use in class currently.