Audience
Educators
Grade Levels
Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12
Subject
Physical Science, Waves, Energy, Flight and Aeronautics, Forces and Motion, Sound
Type
Lesson Plans / Activities
Quieting the Popper
The Quieting the Popper uses a noise generator for this activity which is called a “Piezo Popper”. A piezoelectric crystal has a unique property such that when deformed a high voltage and subsequent electrical spark is produced which can be used for ignition. The fuel used is ethanol, which is placed inside a film canister. The noise produced upon ignition of the ethanol is quite loud – loud enough that ear protection is recommended for the primary user and anyone standing close by. Participants are challenged to design, test, and evaluate a sound suppression system for the sound generator. A Digital Display Sound Level meter is used to record intensity levels.
Grade Level: 5-12
Time Required: 60 minutes
National Science Standards Addressed:
Science 5-8:
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Understanding about scientific inquiry
- Motions and forces
- Transfer of energy
- Personal health
- Populations, resources and environments
- Risks and benefits
- Science and technology in society
- Abilities of technological design
- Understanding about science and technology
Science 9-12:
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Understanding about scientific inquiry
- Motions and forces
- Interactions of energy and matter
- Personal and community health
- Environmental quality
- Natural and human-induced hazards
- Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
- Abilities of technological design
- Understanding about science and technology
Topic: Sound, Vibrations, Waves, Noise