sound projection

[scotta740]

Why would one material project sound more loudly than another? Does it have anything to do with density? All of the materials are the same size. For example, if oak projects sound more loudly than steel when they are both the same size, why would that be?
Thanks!

[OneBriiguy]

Why would one material project sound more loudly than another? Does it have anything to do with density? All of the materials are the same size. For example, if oak projects sound more loudly than steel when they are both the same size, why would that be?
Thanks!

Hi, scotta740!

I think this is an excellent set of questions to design a science experiment to investigate. First, though, we will need to define exactly what the terms mean. What exactly does, "project the sound?" Does it mean conduction through the material? Reflection off of the material? The use of the material to produce sound? Or something else? And, if the materials are the "same size," is it with respect to volume, weight, length, or something else?

For example, we could design an experiment to determine which material produces the loudest sound in a microphone 2 feet away when struck by a hammer, struck by the ringing mechanism for an alarm clock, or connected to the vibrating element of an audio speaker.

If, on the other hand, you're question is purely research - you are looking for an answer, not a science experiment - I suggest that you do some web searching for the answer.

I hope this helps!

[scotta740]

Hi, Brian!
I am doing an experiment that I found on this site in which a musicbox mechanism is put on a material that is used as a soundboard. I guess that it can sort of be considered all of those forms of transmission, partially through air, conducted through the sound board, and reflection off the sound board can all somewhat be heard from a couple of feet away. As for the size, all of the blocks will have lengths and widths of 12cm, and depths of 3cm. This experiment would be similar to the ringing of a clock, but with vibrating strings.
Thanks!

[OneBriiguy]

Hi, Brian!
I am doing an experiment that I found on this site in which a musicbox mechanism is put on a material that is used as a soundboard. I guess that it can sort of be considered all of those forms of transmission, partially through air, conducted through the sound board, and reflection off the sound board can all somewhat be heard from a couple of feet away. As for the size, all of the blocks will have lengths and widths of 12cm, and depths of 3cm. This experiment would be similar to the ringing of a clock, but with vibrating strings.
Thanks!

Hey, Scott! Thanks for the update. I like the sound (no pun intended) of this project. I didn't know ScienceBuddies had a project like this one. Very cool.

Best wishes for success on the project!