Reflection and Absorption

Objectives:

• Students will be able to define the terms reflection and absorption.

• Students will be able to describe how reflection and absorption affect sound.

• Students will be able to define the term acoustics.

• Students will be able to describe how acoustics are used in the design of concert halls.

Suggested Grades:

5th Grade - 6th Grade - 7th Grade

Lesson Procedure:

Print the reading comprehension worksheet passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the passage silently, then answer the questions. Teachers may also use the text as part of a classroom lesson plan.

Lesson Excerpt:

Sounds are all created by sound waves. So why doesn't everything sound the same? Sounds vary because every time a sound wave hits a surface, the sound wave changes in some way. The actual sound you hear depends on the type of surface the sound wave hits. For example, when a sound wave hits a hard, smooth surface, it will not sound the same as it would if it hit a soft, textured surface.

When a sound wave is created, it travels outward in every direction. When the sound wave hits a surface, two things happen. Some of the energy from the sound wave bounces off the surface. This is known as reflection. The energy that is not reflected enters the surface. This is known as absorption. The balance between reflection and absorption of a sound wave creates a unique sound.

Continued...