MYSTERIOUS MAGIC

INTRODUCTION

Let's start our investigation of sound by making some salt move without touching it. Is it a mystery? Is it magic? Or is it science?

WHAT YOU NEED

• 1 rubber band
• 1 piece of plastic
• 1 large can
• 1 wood ruler
• 1 small can
• salt

WHAT YOU DO

1. Find a place to work that is not too close to another team.

2. Pull the plastic tightly over the open end of the large can and hold it while your partner puts the rubber band over it.

3. Sprinkle some salt on top of the plastic.

4. Hold the small can close to the salt and tap the side of the small can with the ruler. What happens to the salt?

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5. Try tapping the small can in different spots or holding it in different directions. Find out how you must hold and tap the can to get the salt to move the most.

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WHEN YOU'RE DONE

See the salt bouncing up and down? It does so because the plastic is vibrating. The plastic is vibrating because of the sound waves hitting it. Sound is vibrations that travel through the air.