Activity Overview
An oscilloscope is a machine that can be used to visualize sound waves. When we increase the volume of a sound, the amplitude of the wave is increased. The frequency of a wave is related to its pitch. If the pitch is high, then the frequency of the wave is high. This means that the wave will looked squashed on an oscilloscope trace.
In this activity, students will create a chart that shows how an oscilloscope trace relates to what a sound wave sounds like. Students can modify the wave shape using the crop and resize functions. You can make this activity more difficult by quantifying the changes in the waves. For example if the wave is twice as loud, then the wave will be twice as high.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that demonstrates how an oscilloscope trace relates to what the sound wave sounds like.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the second row, use the crop and resize functions to draw a wave that has the same pitch as the first wave, but is louder.
- In the third row, use the crop and resize functions to draw a wave that has the same volume as the first wave, but has a higher pitch.
- In the fourth row, use the crop and resize functions to draw a wave that has the same volume as the first wave, but has a lower pitch.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 13 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waveform (2nd Row) | The wave has a larger amplitude, but the frequency has not changed. | The wave has a larger amplitude, but the frequency has been changed as well. | The waveform is completely incorrect. |
| Waveform (3rd Row) | The wave has a higher frequency, but the amplitude has not changed. | The wave has a higher frequency, but the amplitude has changed. | The waveform is completely incorrect. |
| Waveform (4th Row) | The wave has a lower frequency, but the amplitude has not changed. | The wave has a lower frequency, but the amplitude has changed. | The waveform is completely incorrect. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
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