BPS Topic Resources: The Science of Sound

Discover the difference between the two main types of percussion instruments and how they work to make different sounds. You'll also learn how long percussion has been around, what the first percussion instruments were, and which ones have stuck around!

Tim and Moby teach you all about those groovy instruments called woodwinds! Find out about some of the most famous woodwinds, like the flute, the clarinet, and the saxophone — and learn how they work! You’ll also see why holes are needed to create different notes, and how a lot of hot air makes these instruments sound so sweet! Plus, you’ll discover the differences between edge-blown woodwinds, single-reed woodwinds, and double-reed woodwinds.

Sure, you've heard of the violin. Maybe you've played the double bass, or even the harp. But have you ever seen the erhu, or the hurdy-gurdy? They're all part of the string family of instruments. From the ancient lyre to the modern guitar, all string instruments have one thing in common: Their distinctive sounds come from the wave-like vibrations of their strings. The pitch of a string—how high or low it sounds—depends on how quickly it vibrates when it's plucked, struck, or rubbed with a bow. Hollow parts of the instrument's body, called resonators, amplify the sound. If you've ever listened to an orchestra, jazz combo, or rock band, you know how loud and full this sound can be!

Pucker up and blow! In this BrainPOP movie, you’ll learn about trumpets, trombones, tubas, French horns and more as Tim and Moby introduce you to the family of brass instruments! Discover the unique way in which musicians play brass instruments, and how valves and slides can be manipulated to change the instruments’ pitch. You’ll find out why these instruments include so many twists and coils, why so-called “natural” brass instruments are rarely used anymore, and which brass instrument is the hardest to play. If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a tuba and a sousaphone, or how trumpeters can produce different notes by pressing down on valves, this is the movie for you!

Want to learn how to sing like a rock star? In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby will introduce you to the basics of vocals. Discover what it means to sing and see which main body parts you use to vocalize--be it sing, rap, scat, or yodel. Find out what voice registers are and why you would use different ones in different situations. Plus you’ll learn about the neat trick of singing with vibrato, as well as some of the places and ways you can sing. After watching this movie you can sing to your heart’s content!

Did you hear that? In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby introduce you to the world of sound! In the movie, you’ll find out how sound and ocean waves are similar, yet different, as you learn about different kinds of waves. See how air molecules, air pressure, pitch, and vibration all play a part in everything you hear. Plus, you’ll be introduced to a cool mechanism designed to measure sound waves! Discover how fast sound can travel through mediums like air, water, and steel. And see how aquatic animals like whales use sound to communicate underwater! Hey, this sound movie sounds pretty cool, right?!

What did you say? In this BrainPOP movie, you’ll get to hear Tim and Moby talk all about hearing, your ears, and sound waves! You’ll learn how sound works travels, and you’ll get to take a close look at the ears to see how you hear different sounds. Find out the three basic parts of the human ear, how cartilage helps you hear, and how your eardrum is actually similar to a real drum that you’d use to make music. Plus, you'll see how some animals have better hearing than humans, how deafness can happen, and how sign language works! It’s an earful of info!

Analog or digital — which is better? In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby teach you about the differences between analog and digital recording technologies! Find out how older, analog recording techniques are based on electromagnetism, and how the music recorded on them is stored as representations of an electric current. You’ll also discover how digital information is stored as bits — long strings of ones and zeroes. Plus, you’ll get to see how sound from your larynx can be recorded! So watch this movie and decide for yourself whether you prefer analog or digital!

Ready to make some waves? In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby discuss all types of waves--from the kind that travel through the ocean to the kind that travel through outer space! You'll learn how water, sound, light and even earthquakes travel in waves, and also about the characteristics between them that we can measure and observe. You'll also find out how to determine how much energy each wave carries and how we use time and frequency to measure different types of waves, whether they're electromagnetic or mechanical. All this talk of waves is enough to make someone want to surf and listen to the radio all at the same time!

Fa la la la laaaaa! Ever wonder how all those sounds come out of your mouth? In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby explain how the voice works! Discover what your voice box is made of and where it’s located, plus what your true and false vocal cords do. Find out why men generally have a lower voice than women and why no two people have exactly the same voice. You’ll also learn what special vibrations produce sounds, and how your lips, tongue, mouth and nose help produce, amplify and shape your voice. It’s enough to make you break out in song!