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	Stay Tuned: Sound Waveform Models

Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will record the sound waveform of a tuning fork and analyze the waveform to determine frequency, period and amplitude information. They will model the waveform using trigonometric functions.

Before the Activity

Connect the Vernier microphone to Channel 1 on the CBL 2™ or Vernier LabPro®

Connect the CBL 2 or LabPro to the calculator using the Unit-to-Unit cable

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity

Print pages 255 - 262 from the attached PDF file for your class

Activity Downloads:

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During the Activity

Distribute the pages to your class.

Follow the Activity procedures:

Keep the calculator in radian mode and zero the microphone channel

Produce a sound with a tuning fork or keyboard, hold it close to the microphone, and begin data collection

Observe the sinusoidal waveform and record the time of first and last peaks, the period, and the number of complete cycles in the Data Sheet

Calculate the amplitude and frequency of the sound wave

After the Activity

Students' will analyze their data and complete the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet. They will also answer the questions listed in it.

Review student results

As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging

Re-teach concepts as necessary

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