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In this group activity, learners see and hear the speed of sound. A learner designated the "gonger" hits a gong, once every second, as the rest of the group watches and listens from a distance. Learners will discover that light travels faster than sound.
- Under 5 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- $1 - $5 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Hammer
- Gong or piece of metal that will make a very loud sound
- Meter stick
- Stop watch
- Red bandana
- Earplugs
- A long, uninterrupted straight away (at least 350 meters)
Subjects
-
Life Sciences
-
Human Senses and Perception
- Vision
- Hearing
-
Human Senses and Perception
-
Mathematics
-
Measurement
- Units of Measurement
- Rate
-
Measurement
-
Physical Sciences
-
Vibration and Waves
- Sound
-
Vibration and Waves
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Music
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- hear
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Muller, Eric
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Exploratorium, 2002