Propagation of sound in solid bodies

Principle

The transmission (or conduction) of sound through a solid body means: One end of the solid body is caused to oscillate (e.g. by placing a tuning fork on it). This oscillation propagates through the solid body to the other end of the solid body. The transmission through the solid body can be heard directly as an oscillation of the other end (experiment 2) or through the air (experiments 1 and 3).

Benefits

• Experiment is part of an experiment set with a total of 22 experiments about generation, propagation and perception of sound, oscillations and waves
• Particularly appropriate as an experiment for first contact with physics in general
• With graphic student worksheets
• With detailed instructor information
• Optimized for tight schedules, i.e. minimum preparation time required

Tasks

Examine, with the aid of several examples (a plastic ruler, the human head, a thin thread), as to whether sound cannot only propagate in air but also in solid bodies. Show that the sound of the tuning fork can no longer be heard, or that it can only
be slightly heard, through the air at a greater distance (approximately 20 cm). Demonstrate that the conduction through solid bodies over comparable distances ensures that the sound can be heard clearly.

Learning objectives

• Oscillations
• Sound conduction
• Solid body
• Tuning fork