Sounds are made when things vibrate. The vibrations travel through the air (and through water and solids) to our ears. Year 3 scientists explore loud and quiet sounds, high and low sounds, and how to protect our hearing.
What your child will learn
- Know that sounds are made by vibrations
- Know that sound travels through air, water and solids, but not through space
- Explain pitch (high or low) and volume (loud or quiet)
- Know that sounds get fainter further away
Pitch and volume
Volume is how loud or quiet a sound is: hit a drum harder for a louder sound. Pitch is how high or low it is: short, tight strings and small instruments make high notes; long, loose strings and big instruments make low notes.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Which is the quietest?
- A fire alarm
- A whisper
- A shout
- A lion’s roar
Show answer
Answer: A whisper. Whispers are very quiet.
2. Which instrument do you blow into?
- A triangle
- A recorder
- A drum
- A tambourine
Show answer
Answer: A recorder. Blowing makes the air inside a recorder vibrate.
3. Sounds are made when things…
- melt
- vibrate
- freeze
- glow
Show answer
Answer: vibrate. Vibrations are tiny, fast back-and-forth movements.
Tips for grown-ups
- Stretch rubber bands over a box and pluck them to hear different pitches.
- Make a string telephone with two cups and some string.
- Put rice on a drum and watch it jump when you tap the drum.