Lesson 6 of 6 · Sound
Experiment⭐ 30 XPNoise, Damage and Protection
Noise, Damage and Protection.
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.
Mind = Blown
🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.
What You'll Learn
Sound intensity is measured in decibels on a logarithmic scale, so 90 dB carries ten times the intensity of 80 dB. Sustained exposure above about 85 dB damages hair cells permanently — they do not regrow, which is why hearing loss from noise is irreversible.
Key Words
Tap a word to see its definition.
Materials Needed
- phone with sound level meter app
- notebook
Safety First
- Do not stay in any environment you measure above 85 dB.
- Never raise headphone volume to test the top of the scale.
Steps
Read the explanation above and note the two key terms before you start.
Use a phone sound-level app to log decibel readings in six places: a quiet room, a classroom, a busy street, a canteen, headphones at half volume, and headphones at full volume. Flag every reading above 85 dB.
Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.
Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2An increase of 10 dB corresponds to an intensity increase of:
Where you see this in real life
This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.
For the dinner table
“What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
Ready?
Noise, Damage and Protection
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
Full screen — no distractions
Checkout complete lesson on Sound for 9th Grade
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