Sound and Vibrations
Year 3 students investigate how sounds are made by vibrating objects and how sound travels through different materials.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Sound is made when an object vibrates — moves back and forth rapidly
Vibrations travel as waves through materials including air, water, and solids
The loudness of a sound depends on how strongly an object vibrates
Sound cannot travel through a vacuum because there is no matter for the vibrations to move through
Key Vocabulary
Vibration
A rapid back-and-forth movement that produces sound
Sound wave
The pattern of compressions that carries sound energy through a material
Pitch
How high or low a sound is; determined by how fast an object vibrates
Volume
How loud or soft a sound is; related to the strength of the vibration
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
What causes sound to be produced?
Question 2
If you stretch a rubber band tightly and pluck it, the sound will be…
Question 3
Can sound travel through water?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Sound is made when an object vibrates — moves back and forth rapidly
- ●Vibrations travel as waves through materials including air, water, and solids
- ●The loudness of a sound depends on how strongly an object vibrates
- ●Sound cannot travel through a vacuum because there is no matter for the vibrations to move through