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Go around your house and hit (or tap) ten different objects. The objects should be different shapes and made of different material (choose things to hit that won’t break!). Each object is a different medium for sound. Try to hit each using the same amount of energy.

Describe each object that you hit. What is its shape and what is it made of? Then describe how it sounds to you. Does it transmit sound well? Does it absorb sound? Is the sound loud or soft? Is there a “ring” to the sound? Does it sound like a “thunk” or does it sound like a drum?

Rank the ten objects from loudest to softest.

Draw some conclusions based on your results from Steps 1 and 2. For example, are there a certain shapes or materials that are better or worse media for sound travel?

1 answer

Here’s a list of ten different objects I hit around the house, their descriptions, and the resulting sounds:

  1. Kitchen Pot

    • Shape & Material: Round, deep, metallic (stainless steel).
    • Sound Description: Produces a loud, resonant “clang” with a bright ring. The sound travels well and echoes slightly, suggesting it is a good transmitter of sound.

  2. Wooden Table

    • Shape & Material: Rectangular, flat surface, wood.
    • Sound Description: Produces a lower “thud” that is somewhat muted. The sound is less resonant and doesn't ring much, indicating that the wood absorbs some sound.

  3. Plastic Bowl

    • Shape & Material: Round, shallow, plastic.
    • Sound Description: Produces a soft “thunk” sound. It absorbs sound well, lacking resonance and ringing. The sound is much quieter than the pot.

  4. Glass Window

    • Shape & Material: Flat, rectangular, glass.
    • Sound Description: Emits a sharp, high-pitched “ping.” The sound is bright and travels well, but it doesn’t resonate for long. It’s loud but has less body compared to other materials.

  5. Cushioned Chair

    • Shape & Material: Rectangular, padded, fabric with cushion.
    • Sound Description: Produces a muffled “thump” sound. It absorbs sound well, making it one of the quieter objects, with no ringing.

  6. Ceramic Mug

    • Shape & Material: Round, cylindrical, ceramic.
    • Sound Description: Produces a mid-level “ding” when tapped, with some resonance. The sound travels adequately but is softer than the pot and glass.

  7. Metal Spoon

    • Shape & Material: Curved, metal.
    • Sound Description: Produces a sharp “clink” sound when hit against a hard surface. It has a nice ring and carries a bit of resonance, but it’s softer than the pot.

  8. Rubber Ball

    • Shape & Material: Round, flexible rubber.
    • Sound Description: Produces a soft “thump” sound. The sound is muted and doesn’t resonate much, suggesting it absorbs sound effectively.

  9. Cardboard Box

    • Shape & Material: Rectangular, cardboard.
    • Sound Description: Creates a soft, dull “thud.” The sound is quite muffled and lacks resonance, indicating strong sound absorption.

  10. Paper (stack)

    • Shape & Material: Flat, sheets of paper.
    • Sound Description: Produces a faint “crinkle” sound when tapped lightly. The sound is the softest among the objects, clearly lacking the ability to transmit sound well.

Ranking from Loudest to Softest:

  1. Kitchen Pot
  2. Glass Window
  3. Wooden Table
  4. Metal Spoon
  5. Ceramic Mug
  6. Plastic Bowl
  7. Rubber Ball
  8. Cushioned Chair
  9. Cardboard Box
  10. Paper (stack)

Conclusions:

From the objects tested, it seems that materials like metal (e.g., the kitchen pot) and glass transmit sound very well and produce louder, more resonant sounds. In contrast, materials such as fabric and rubber (cushioned chair and rubber ball) absorb sound energy, resulting in softer and more muted sounds.

The shapes that allow for more surface area and hollowness (like the pot) tend to resonate better and produce louder sounds. Flat surfaces like the table and window also transmit sound effectively, but the materials contribute significantly to how sound travels. Overall, metallic and glass materials are better sound transmitters, while softer and thicker materials tend to absorb sound, leading to softer sounds.