Vibrating Objects and Sound

Sound is produced when an object vibrates. Vibration refers to the rapid back-and-forth motion of an object. Let's explore how vibrations create sound through some activities:

Tuning Fork Experiment

Strike a tuning fork on a rubber pad and bring it close to your ear. You will hear a sound because the tuning fork is vibrating.

When you touch one of the vibrating prongs of the tuning fork, you can feel the vibrations.

If you suspend a table tennis ball by a thread and touch it with the vibrating tuning fork, the ball will move. This movement is due to the vibrations from the tuning fork being transferred to the ball.

Water Experiment

Fill a beaker with water to the brim. Gently touch the surface of the water with one prong of the vibrating tuning fork. You will observe ripples on the water surface, indicating the transfer of vibrations from the tuning fork to the water.