Build-A-Band
Project Description
For this project, we had to design and build three different instruments, a wind instrument, a string instrument and chimes (percussion). We then had to present the working instruments to the class and describe the physics behind why they worked. I was tasked to build the chimes. We had to design our instruments and create a blueprint with all the notes and wavelengths before we could actually start building our instruments. I finished the chimes relatively quickly, and then went on to help with the electric bass, the most ambitious of our three instruments. We kept running into problem after problem, which made the construction process tedious. Eventually, we finished it, but our pickup wasn't strong enough to pick up and transfer the sound to the amp. So, we took out the pickup and added more wire, to create a stronger magnetic field so the pickup could register and transmit the sound from the string. I really joined this group and thought our instruments turned our great.
For this project, we had to design and build three different instruments, a wind instrument, a string instrument and chimes (percussion). We then had to present the working instruments to the class and describe the physics behind why they worked. I was tasked to build the chimes. We had to design our instruments and create a blueprint with all the notes and wavelengths before we could actually start building our instruments. I finished the chimes relatively quickly, and then went on to help with the electric bass, the most ambitious of our three instruments. We kept running into problem after problem, which made the construction process tedious. Eventually, we finished it, but our pickup wasn't strong enough to pick up and transfer the sound to the amp. So, we took out the pickup and added more wire, to create a stronger magnetic field so the pickup could register and transmit the sound from the string. I really joined this group and thought our instruments turned our great.
Terms and Definitions
Frequency: How many waves pass a certain point in a certain unit of time. Calculated either using v=λf or f=1/T.
Period: The amount of time between waves/vibrations. The period is inverse to the frequency. Calculated using T=1/f.
Wavelength: The length of a wave from one point on the wave to the corresponding point on the next wave. Calculated using v=λf.
Wave Speed: The velocity of a wave. Calculated using v=λf.
Amplitude: Displacement from equilibrium to crest.
Transverse Wave: A wave that goes up and down as it goes along. Light waves are transverse waves. Does not need a medium to travel through
Longitudinal Wave: A wave that compresses and rarefies (expands) as it travels along. Sound waves are longitudinal waves. Does require a medium to travel through.
Frequency: How many waves pass a certain point in a certain unit of time. Calculated either using v=λf or f=1/T.
Period: The amount of time between waves/vibrations. The period is inverse to the frequency. Calculated using T=1/f.
Wavelength: The length of a wave from one point on the wave to the corresponding point on the next wave. Calculated using v=λf.
Wave Speed: The velocity of a wave. Calculated using v=λf.
Amplitude: Displacement from equilibrium to crest.
Transverse Wave: A wave that goes up and down as it goes along. Light waves are transverse waves. Does not need a medium to travel through
Longitudinal Wave: A wave that compresses and rarefies (expands) as it travels along. Sound waves are longitudinal waves. Does require a medium to travel through.
Reflection
I really enjoyed this project and thought it was a lot of fun. This group was great and we distributed and worked well together. One downside was that we weren't always as productive as we should have been, which made for some cramming in the last couple of days. This was something that I have been struggling in the past couple projects. I think I've gotten better, but it is still a problem for me. Another thing I liked about this group was that we all contributed to the project equally. There wasn't anyone who was off to the side, doing their own thing. We all did our part to make this the best project we could. One other downside was that we were a little too ambitious in our design. We wanted to make an electric guitar, but that was a real struggle for us. Overall, this was one of my favorite projects, and I thought this group worked very well together.
I really enjoyed this project and thought it was a lot of fun. This group was great and we distributed and worked well together. One downside was that we weren't always as productive as we should have been, which made for some cramming in the last couple of days. This was something that I have been struggling in the past couple projects. I think I've gotten better, but it is still a problem for me. Another thing I liked about this group was that we all contributed to the project equally. There wasn't anyone who was off to the side, doing their own thing. We all did our part to make this the best project we could. One other downside was that we were a little too ambitious in our design. We wanted to make an electric guitar, but that was a real struggle for us. Overall, this was one of my favorite projects, and I thought this group worked very well together.