Noise

Noise

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about echoes and sound insulation.

Question

a)  During a class tramp a teacher called out to a group of children.
     Her shout produced an echo.
     For her voice to echo, where would the teacher most probably have been standing?

    • Amongst large trees

    • Facing a tall cliff

    • On a hill top

    • In a clearing in the bush.

Question 1Change answer

b)  Describe what happens to the sound when you hear an echo.

Question

c)  Which of the following would most help in reducing the noise level in a room?

    • A bare wooden floor and no window coverings.

    • A carpeted floor and curtains on the windows.

    • A tile floor and metal blinds on the windows.

    • A concrete floor and wooden shutters on the windows.

Question 1Change answer

d)  Why are some materials better at keeping noise levels down than others?
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with SOME auto marking).
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Physical World
Keywords: 
physics concepts, energy, sound, sound insulation, echoes
Description of task: 
Students answer four questions on echoes and sound insulation.
Making Better Sense: 
Sound
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (12/1997)
a) Facing a tall cliff. moderate
b) The sound will bounce/is reflected off large objects back to you. moderate
c) A carpeted floor and curtains on the windows. easy
d) Because these materials absorb more noise or
these materials will reflect less noise.		 difficult
 
Diagnostic and formative information: 

  

Common errors

a)

Option C - On a hill top - was selected by 24% of students.

b)

17% of students described in general terms how sound travels.
18% of students gave no answer.

c)

Option D - A concrete floor and wooden shutters on the windows. - was selected by 21% of students.

d)

21% of students suggested that thicker materials kept noise down.
14% of students gave no answer.