The Speed of Light
and Sound are Very Different!!!!!!!
Light travels at 186,000 miles
per second. WOW!
The speed of sound travels differently
in the three states of matter. Air conducts sound at 1,085 feet
per second. Water conducts sound at 4,908 feet per second. And
the solid steel conducts sound at 17,100 feet per second.
Why?
The closer together the molecules
are in a material the faster sound will travel. Therefore colder
air transmits sound the fastest.
Teachers: try using this
plan after studying both sound and light. Use this to compare
the speeds so that students will understand the difference.
Objective: to experience the difference
in speed of light and sound
Equipment: basketball, ping pong paddles,
poppers
Procedure:
1. Have a volunteer bounce the basketball
outside on the pavement. Take the class a have them observe this
from a distance of 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards.
2. Then discuss what they experienced.
3. Then have another volunteer slap the
paddles together using the same distances and listen then discuss.
4. Next have a student who brought in
poppers or snappers( safe firecracker that you throw to the ground)
and observe the action as before. This will be more interesting
of course.