Work
The focus of these three weeks was longitudinal and transverse waves. We learned that waves transfer energy by creating a disturbance in the medium. Sound and light are examples of waves. The main component of this project was building our own musical instruments. I made a slide whistle, Heston made a trumpet, Nick made a guitar, and James made a xylophone. We then presented the physics of how our instruments made sound and changed notes and demonstrated their scales. I was very happy with my slide whistle because early in the project I struggled to make a working instrument, but the slide whistle was fully functional and fun.
Content
Transverse Waves - A wave where particle movement is perpendicular to wave motion. Does not require a medium to exist. (Light)
Longitudinal Waves - Waves where particle movement is parallel to wave motion. Requires a medium to exist. (Sound)
Frequency - Number of waves per second. f = v/λ. Measure in hertz.
Wave Speed - Velocity of a wave. v = λf. Measure in m/s.
Wavelength - Distance of the crest of one wave to the crest of another. λ = v/f. Measured in meters.
Period - Time for one wave. T = 1/f. Measured in seconds.
Amplitude - Height or magnitude of a wave. Amplitude controls the volume of a wave.
The focus of these three weeks was longitudinal and transverse waves. We learned that waves transfer energy by creating a disturbance in the medium. Sound and light are examples of waves. The main component of this project was building our own musical instruments. I made a slide whistle, Heston made a trumpet, Nick made a guitar, and James made a xylophone. We then presented the physics of how our instruments made sound and changed notes and demonstrated their scales. I was very happy with my slide whistle because early in the project I struggled to make a working instrument, but the slide whistle was fully functional and fun.
Content
Transverse Waves - A wave where particle movement is perpendicular to wave motion. Does not require a medium to exist. (Light)
Longitudinal Waves - Waves where particle movement is parallel to wave motion. Requires a medium to exist. (Sound)
Frequency - Number of waves per second. f = v/λ. Measure in hertz.
Wave Speed - Velocity of a wave. v = λf. Measure in m/s.
Wavelength - Distance of the crest of one wave to the crest of another. λ = v/f. Measured in meters.
Period - Time for one wave. T = 1/f. Measured in seconds.
Amplitude - Height or magnitude of a wave. Amplitude controls the volume of a wave.
Reflection
Although the actual finished project was great, I feel like I personally regressed in a few areas during this project. My time management, which I normally consider pretty good, was not as perfect for the Musical Band. I found myself pressed for time a lot, and I will have to improve if I want my current project to go well. For example, I finished my instrument, but not all of my group had finished theirs. However, I did not help them out, and as a result, our string instrument did not create sound very well. Time management also relates to work ethic, which I could have done better on for this project. There were many times when I just sat around and did nothing during the building of our instruments. This can be partially accounted for because I did not know as much about the other types of instruments, which my group members focused on, and so they all did their own instruments. But I know that I could have worked harder. I should have helped with the guitar. I could have presented my instrument more thoroughly. I will do better next project.
On the bright side of things, I believe that I improved in the categories that I sought to improve in from the past. I was more patient during this project. By this I mean that I was more tolerant when I had to wait for things to get done and I tried to be more cheerful and nice all around. When Nick was building, there were times when there was nothing for me to do. Instead of pestering him to let me help, I sat back and trusted that he would get the job done, which he tried his hardest to do. Also, as a result of my not being experienced string and percussion instruments, I was able to tone down my leadership a little, which my past groups had advised me to do. Like I said before, I had to step back and let Nick take the reins when it was time to build the string instrument. This was a good experience that I will have to get used to if I am going to work with smart people going forward.
Although the actual finished project was great, I feel like I personally regressed in a few areas during this project. My time management, which I normally consider pretty good, was not as perfect for the Musical Band. I found myself pressed for time a lot, and I will have to improve if I want my current project to go well. For example, I finished my instrument, but not all of my group had finished theirs. However, I did not help them out, and as a result, our string instrument did not create sound very well. Time management also relates to work ethic, which I could have done better on for this project. There were many times when I just sat around and did nothing during the building of our instruments. This can be partially accounted for because I did not know as much about the other types of instruments, which my group members focused on, and so they all did their own instruments. But I know that I could have worked harder. I should have helped with the guitar. I could have presented my instrument more thoroughly. I will do better next project.
On the bright side of things, I believe that I improved in the categories that I sought to improve in from the past. I was more patient during this project. By this I mean that I was more tolerant when I had to wait for things to get done and I tried to be more cheerful and nice all around. When Nick was building, there were times when there was nothing for me to do. Instead of pestering him to let me help, I sat back and trusted that he would get the job done, which he tried his hardest to do. Also, as a result of my not being experienced string and percussion instruments, I was able to tone down my leadership a little, which my past groups had advised me to do. Like I said before, I had to step back and let Nick take the reins when it was time to build the string instrument. This was a good experience that I will have to get used to if I am going to work with smart people going forward.