Push the end of the metal slinky through the base of the styrofoam cup. You can secure this further by pushing the end of the slinky through the cup again in another place to form a hook shape.
Hold the top of the styrofoam cup as pictured so that the metal slinky dangles downwards to the floor.
Gently shake the cup from side to side. You should hear the sound effects that can be similar to those heard in Star Wars! Try bouncing the metal slinky up and down on the floor to get a sharper sound.
School science visits since 2004!
– Curriculum-linked & award-winning incursions.
– Over 40 primary & high school programs to choose from.
– Designed by experienced educators.
– Over 2 million students reached.
– Face to face incursions & online programs available.
– Early learning centre visits too!
Online courses for teachers & parents
– Help students learn how science really works
Get the Unit of Work on Sound here!
- What is amplitude?
- What is frequency?
- How does sound travel and what does it look like and more!
Includes cross-curricular teaching ideas, student quizzes, a sample marking rubric, scope & sequences & more
What is going on?
The original blaster sounds heard in the Star Wars were made by the foley artist Ben Burtt who repetitively hit the high tension wires of a radio mast with a wrench! These sound samples were then taken back to the studio to be eventually heard on the film’s soundtrack.
In the case of the metal slinky and the styrofoam cup, you’re simply transferring vibrations up the slinky into the styrofoam which also then vibrates. The metal slinky vibrates against foam and creates part of the buzz that you hear, with the rest of the sound being formed by the foam itself vibrating and the sounds echoing within the cup. The larger air space within the cup caused the sound to amplify.
Variables to test
- Try a plastic slinky vis a metal slinky
- Try a plastic cup vs a styrofoam cup.
- Do the sounds change if you change the length of the slinky?
From frequency & amplitude through to echoes & wave distortions, we’ve got your unit on sound covered!
Get in touch with FizzicsEd to find out how we can work with your class.
Science of Sound
Years 1 to 6
30 to 60 students
Show or workshop (NSW & VIC)
60 or 90 minutes
Online Class Available
STEM Full Day Accelerator - Primary
Designed from real classroom experiences, this modular day helps you create consistently effective science learning that directly address the new curriculum with easily accessible and cost-effective materials.
Comments