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Coathanger gong science experiment : Fizzics Education

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Coathanger gong

Coathanger gong

Follow FizzicsEd 150 Science Experiments:

You will need:

  • One metal coat hanger
  • Two pieces of string around 30cm in length

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Coathanger gong science experiment - materials needed
1 Coathanger gong science experiment - completed coathanger gong

Tie each of the strings to the corners of the coat hanger.

2 Coathanger gong science experiment - winding the strings 500 x 500px

Wrap your right index finger around one of the strings and wrap your other index finger around the other string. Hold the end of the string so that the coat hanger hangs between your hands.

Gently knock the coat hanger on a hard surface. What do you hear? Is the sound loud or soft?

3 Coathanger gong science experiment - strings in the ear 500 x 500px

Put your fingers in your ears and gently knock the coat hanger on a hard surface.

Does the sound get louder? Why?

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5 Teacher showing how to do an experiment outside to a group of kids.

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– Help students learn how science really works

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6 Stylised sound waves on a black background

Get the Unit of Work on Sound here!

  • What is amplitude?
  • What is frequency?
  • How does sound travel and what does it look like and more!

Includes cross-curricular teaching ideas, student quizzes, a sample marking rubric, scope & sequences & more

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Why Does This Happen?

Sound is produced by vibrations. Vibrations travel faster through solids than they do through liquids or gasesKnocking the coat hanger against the surface makes the coat hanger vibrate. The vibrations travelled faster to your ear through the vibrating strings because they are solid.

This is the reason why earthquakes can be detected hundreds of kilometres from their source. You can find out how seismographs are used to detect earthquake vibrations by visiting Geoscience Australia.

Variables to test

More on variables here

  • What happens when you use a plastic coathanger?
  • Vary the type of string or exchange it for wool or fishing line
  • Does the surface that you hit the coathanger against make a difference?
  • Try other objects tied to the string. Do they sound the same?

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Learn more!

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