Listening to Sounds Lab

Purpose:  To determine a way to amplify sound traveling to your ear.

Procedure:

1.  Tie 2 strings to the handle of a metal spoon.  Each string should be about 40 cm long.
2.  Hold one end of the string in each hand.  Bump the bowl of the spoon against a desk or other hard, solid object.  Listen to the sound.
3.  Now wrap the ends of the string around your fingers.
4.  Put your index fingers up against your ears and bump the spoon against the object again.

Conclusion: 

1.)  How does the first sound compare with the sound you heard with your fingers up against your ears?

The first sound is a pretty loud sound with a big "twang," whereas the second sound is slightly louder, and it has a more resonating quality to it.  Also, it is accompanied with a subtle hum.

2.)  How did the sound travel to your ears when you had the string touching your ears?

The sound traveled to our ears through longitudinal waves on the string.

3.)  Why do you think it was easier to hear the sound when you put the strings by your ears?

I think it was easier for us to hear the sound through the string, because the sound traveled through it, which brought it directly to our ears, instead of us having our ears searching for it.