Week 5

Further instructions

Factors that could affect how much sound is detected:

sound source

distance of sound source from sensor

type of insulating material

number of layers of material

surface the sound source is on

where test is carried out

background noise

Investigation: ‘Which material blocks (absorbs) the most sound?’

Factor to be changed – type of insulating material

Factor to be measured – amount of sound passing through (in decibels)

Factors to be kept the same – sound source, distance of sound source from sensor, number of layers of material, box in which sound source is placed, where test is carried out, background noise

The investigation can be set up by placing the sound source in a box, coving it with one layer of each material in turn, closing the box and placing the sound sensor on top of the box on a marked spot.  This will enable the test to be carried out as fairly as possible, keeping everything the same, except the insulating material.