Wave Riders Slides
Science Adventure
Wave Riders
The Secret Language of Sound
Waves
Pitch
Sound
What is Sound?
Big Idea
Sound is made of invisible "waves" that travel through the air to our ears.
Fun Fact
Even though we can't see them, we can definitely hear the difference when those waves change!
Catch the Waves!
Meet the "Wavelength"
What is it?
The distance between the top of one wave and the next.
Picture This
Imagine waves at the beach. Sometimes they are close together, and sometimes they are far apart. Sound does the same thing!
Distance between peaks
Wavelength
How far apart waves are!
Squishy Waves = High Sounds
The Rule
When waves are short and "squished" together, they make a High Pitch.
Examples
- A tiny bird chirping.
- A small plastic whistle.
Visualization
So fast! So short!
Quick Quiz!
If a sound wave is short and squished...
HIGH?
LOW?
HIGH!
Short Wavelength = High Pitch
Stretched Waves = Low Sounds
Visualization
Slow... Wide... Stretched!
The Rule
When waves are long and "stretched" out, they make a Low Pitch.
Examples
- A big lion roaring.
- A giant tuba playing.
Quick Quiz!
What kind of sound does a LONG wavelength make?
HIGH?
LOW?
LOW-PITCHED!
Long Wavelength = Low Pitch
What is "Pitch"?
Definition
Pitch is how high or low a sound is.
High Pitch
Whistle!
Low Pitch
Growl!
Common Mistake
Pitch is NOT the same as volume.
Sounds can be high and quiet, or low and very loud!
Sound Superstars!
You've mastered the wave!
Short Waves
High Pitch
Long Waves
Low Pitch
Pitch
How high or low the sound is
Sound Wave Expert!
Wave Sketcher Worksheet
Wave Sketcher
Name: ____________________________________ Date: ______________
Challenge: Put your knowledge of wavelengths and pitch to the test! Remember: Short waves make a high pitch, and long waves make a low pitch.
Part 1: Pitch Perfect Matching
Connect the dots to match the sound example to its Pitch and its Wavelength.
A Giant Tuba Playing
A Tiny Bird Chirping
A Heavy Bass Drum
A Silver Whistle
High Pitch
Low Pitch
Short Wavelength
Long Wavelength
*Connect the circles! Some options will have more than one line.
Part 2: Wave Designer
1. Mouse Squeaking
(High Pitch)
2. Lion Roaring
(Low Pitch)
Part 3: Flash Question
"The shorter the wavelength, the the pitch."
Explain why pitch is different from volume:
Wave Sketcher Answer Key
Wave Sketcher Key
Teacher Reference Sheet
Part 1 Matching
Giant Tuba
Tiny Bird
Bass Drum
Silver Whistle
High Pitch
Low Pitch
Short Wavelength
Long Wavelength
Part 2 Wave Design
High Pitch (Short Wave)
Low Pitch (Long Wave)
Part 3 Answers
"The shorter the wavelength, the HIGHER the pitch."
Pitch vs Volume:
Pitch is high/low (wavelength). Volume is loud/quiet (amplitude). Students should note they are independent.
