Course (PHY 111) Topics Addressed:

IV.              Waves and Sound

A.     Harmonic motion

B.      Mechanical waves

C.     Sound waves

Competencies Addressed:

1.      Explain the application of fundamental physical principles to various physical phenomena.

2.      Apply the Scientific Method to physical phenomena for hypothesis development, experimental design, data acquisition, and data analysis.

3.      Effectively communicate qualitative and quantitative information, orally and in writing.

4.      Apply appropriate problem-solving techniques to practical and meaningful problems, using graphical, mathematical, and written modeling tools.

5.      Work effectively in collaborative groups.

Design Project Summary – Build a stringed instrument capable of playing a full octave from A₄ (440 Hz) to A₅ (880 Hz).

General Project Information - This is a team activity. You will be assigned to a team of 3-4 people. Each member of the team is expected to be able to serve as team spokesperson and to be fully involved with all aspects of the team’s entries. The entries are to reflect the coordinated efforts of all team members.

The team may not spend more than $40 total for their PTFM project (a budget with receipts is required). All team members must share equally in project costs. Items typically considered to be household junk may be used without cost penalty. Acceptable “junk” includes: string, clothes hangers, scrap metal and wood, tape, etc. Unacceptable “junk” includes guitar strings, existing instruments, etc. In other words, guitar strings and the like must be purchased for use, or you must charge fair market value against your budget.

Each team will make a PowerPoint presentation and will submit a written technical report. The presentations will take place the day of the instrument demonstrations and the report will be due the class period immediately following the demonstrations.

Each team member will maintain an individual class notebook. The notebook will be due the class period immediately following the competition/demonstrations.

PTFM Specifics

• Your instrument needs to be able to play all 12 notes (of Western music) within the octave between A₄ and A₅. Each note must be able to be sustained for at least 5 seconds.
• You may purchase/use guitar (or other) strings, but not musical sub-systems (i.e. sound box, fret board, etc.)
• Safety should be your #1 concern throughout construction and testing. Be sure to read, understand and follow all warnings and instructions for all tools, equipment and materials you use. Proper eye protection and ventilation are a must. Use of dangerous high-pressure systems and/or hazardous materials should be avoided at all costs. Never handle moving parts while still moving. Always unplug all electrical systems/equipment before working on them.
• The formula used to judge the performance of your stringed instrument will give the best score for the purest timbre, note precision, and length of measurable sustained sound.

Project Evaluation Criteria - PTFM Construction and Operation

Team Name: __________________________________ Date: ________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Student Name:__________________________________

Judge’s Name:__________________________________

Timbre “Purity” T_P = ____________ % of sound within +/- 10% of target freq

Note Precision (A₄) P_A4 = ____________ % deviation from target

Note Precision (B₄) P_B4 = ____________ % deviation from target

Note Precision (C^#₅) P_C5 = ____________ % deviation from target

Note Precision (D₅) P_D5 = ____________ % deviation from target

Note Precision (E₅) P_E5 = ____________ % deviation from target

Note Precision (F^#₅) P_F5 = ____________ % deviation from target

Note Precision (G^#₅) P_G5 = ____________ % deviation from target

Note Precision (A₅) P_A5 = ____________ % deviation from target

Total Precision P_T = ____________

Raw score N = ____________

Class max raw score N_max = ____________

Final Score F = ____________

Team Written Technical Report - PTFM

Each team must submit a written report describing the design, construction and operation of their instrument. The report must be a computer printed document on 8 ½” X 11” white paper, double-spaced with 1” margins all around, 12 point font size and Times New Roman font. Report must be 5-10 pages in length (not including Appendices).

1        Cover Page

a)      Instrument Name

b)      Team Name

c)      Team Member Names

d)      Report Date

e)      Abstract (½ page summary)

2        Table of Contents

3        Introduction

4        Design

5        Construction Procedure

6        Instrument Operation

7        Conclusion/Recommendations

8        Appendices

a)      Instrument Drawings (front, side and top)

b)      Performance Data (tables and graphs of pertinent data)

c)      Budget (materials list and copies of receipts)

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-10 points) _____

Organization – clear and logical (0-10 points) _____

Precision – reader able to replicate instrument (0-10 points) _____

Mechanics – college level writing (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

PowerPoint Presentation

The presentation should be 8-12 minutes in length and each team member should have a specific role in the presentation. The presentation should include:

1        Technical Details

a)      Drawings

b)      Performance Data

2        Design Challenges/Successes

3        Suggestions for Improvement

4        Physics Highlights/Lowlights

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-10 points) _____

Organization – clear and logical (0-10 points) _____

Interest – kept audiences’ attention (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

Individual Class Notebook

Each student must submit a notebook with the following sections:

1. Daily Activity Journal - include a brief entry for every physics related activity (i.e. class, team meeting, individual study)

1. Date
2. Time In/Out
3. Summary
4. Findings
5. Questions

2. Project Summary-

6. Abstract (~250 words)
7. What worked/didn’t
8. Data and analysis

                                                               i.      Table(s)

                                                             ii.      Graph(s)

                                                            iii.      Equations/Calculations

                                                           iv.      Error Analysis

3. Project Self/Peer Evaluation

9. Quality of work
10. Quantity of work
11. Comments

4. Competency Evidence – list of course competencies and evidence of how each was attained
5. Topic Coverage – explain/describe physics topics included in this project

12. English definition
13. Graphical representation(s)
14. Mathematical representation(s)
15. Application to this project
16. Application to other area(s) of your life

6. (Optional) Summary/Synthesis of other teams’ projects

Evaluation Categories Points

Completeness - followed guidelines (0-50 points (10 pts/section)) _____

Mechanics – legible, college level writing (0-20 points) _____

Optional Summary (0-10 points) _____

Optional Synthesis (0-10 points) _____

Total _____

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