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
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