How to Reflect Sound

How to Reflect Sound

You will need: Newspaper, scissors, gummed cellophane tape, broomstick, and watch, cardboard.

Sound waves can be reflected in much the same way that light rays are reflected by a mirror. Make two paper tubes by rolling newspaper around a broom handle. Tape each tube together.

We do not need a mirror to reflect sound waves. Instead, a sheet of strong cardboard or hardboard will serve to 'bounce' them.

The ticking of a watch or clock makes a good sound to experiment with. Hold a watch at one end of a paper tube as you direct it toward the cardboard. Have your partner cover one ear so that she can hear the ticking through the second paper tube, directed toward the sounding board.

Experiment with different positions of the tubes and you will soon appreciate how readily sound waves can be reflected.