Sound teaching resources

Worksheets and lesson ideas to challenge students aged 11 to 16 to think hard about sound and the structure of the ear (GCSE and Key Stage 3)

This excellent retro video looks at how sound travels through different materials. The demonstration below is an excellent introduction to how sound travels and the requirement for particles, after all, no one will hear you scream in space. And then there’s that other problem. If sound travels faster through solids, why does closing the door keep the sound out?!

Why does closing the door keep the sound out?

Sound waves

Key Stage 3 worksheet on how sound travels. Students work in pairs to discuss why closing the door prevents sound from travelling into the next room. Ideas are then discussed as a class. Many students will struggle with the idea that the door stops the sound because they know sound travels faster through solids than liquids and gases. This will provide some cognitive conflict that hopefully will be resolved throughout these discussions. This resource was contributed by Terry Baylis. (PDF)

The structure of the ear

Key Stage 3 worksheet on function of the ear. Students select and justify their choice of analogous objects to explain what different parts of the ear do. (PDF)

The ear and hearing loss

Key Stage 3 worksheet on the structure of the ear. Students use their knowledge of ear structure to diagnose and treat some ear complaints. This resource was contributed by Rownok Jahan. (PDF)

Sound vibrations displayed using sand

Using a ‘Chladni Plate’ you can play music and watch sand move, making sound waves visible.

  1. Sound and the ear
  2. Light
  3. Electromagnetic waves