Science Snacks: Sound | Exploratorium

Science activity that explores how waves travel and interact

Anti-Sound Spring

Send waves down a spring to watch them travel and interact.

Science activity to create a toy that sounds like a swarm of buzzing bees

This simple toy sounds like a swarm of bees.

Science activity to build a musical instrument that uses vibrations

Coffee-Can Cuíca

Build a cuíca—a musical instrument—and play with vibrations.

Science activity that demonstrates the effect of air density on sound

Conversation Piece

A balloon acts as a lens to focus sound.

Science activity that uses a coil of wire, a paper cup and a magnet to create a radio speaker

Make a speaker that turns changing electric current into sound.

Science activity that demonstrates the Doppler effect

The Doppler effect causes the “neeeeeoowwm” sound of cars.

Science activity creating music with gravity

Listen to the rhythm of falling weights.

Science and engineering activity to make a record player

Make a record player with a pencil, pin, and paper.

Science activity to play music by wrapping a string around your head

Wrap a string around your head and pluck to play music.

Science activity to make an instrument that creates the sound of rain falling

Make Your Own Rainstick

Listen to the sound of rain falling—anytime, anywhere.

Science activity that demonstrates magnetic field coupling

Hear the magnet!

Science activity that explores audio signal transmission

Listen to a beam of light.