Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am trying to do the frequency dependent sound absorption science fair project, but I could not figure out how to assess the data. I made graphs, but I am not sure whether lower numbers or higher number are better. The lower numbers are with no materials tested, and the higher numbers are with acoustic foam. my science fair is in about a week and I still can not figure out the data.

Hi Honeybadger54317,

I'm assuming that you're working on the project described here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... absorption

You should find lower sound pressure levels when you put acoustic foam between a speaker and your sound level meter. This should be true for any sound frequency you may have tested. But the change in sound pressure due to the acoustic foam may change with sound frequency.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman