NSHS VISUALIZING MUSIC THROUGH PHYSICS

The Wave of Music: Visualizing Music Through Physics at North Shore HS

On February 14, 2023, North Shore High School music teacher, Jason Domingo, and physics teacher, Tyler Bianco, led a cross-disciplinary lesson titled, "The Wave of Music - Visualizing Music Through Physics."

Mr. Bianco provided the following summaries regarding the lesson:

The Goal: To present a sound wave as a visual using a Ruben's Tube, also known as a "Standing Wave Flame Tube," to observe the characteristics of a wave (amplitude, frequency, & wavelength). Using this visual representation, we can calculate the speed of the sound wave by measuring the wavelength and frequency by applying the formula speed = wavelength*frequency. 

Real-World Application: Musicians can benefit from knowing the nature of their instrument's sound wave to better understand how the wave behaves during a concert. They can now determine how long it would take their instrument's sound to reach an audience member. Understanding these features of the sound wave for each type of instrument can help orchestras determine where each instrument should be positioned on stage to ensure the audience is hearing each instrument in sync with one another. The same wave characteristics can also be utilized to create a tuner to ensure their instruments are properly tuned to the correct Key.

"North Shore High School prides itself on connecting the “learning dots” across disciplines to bring meaning, context, and application of what we learn in our classes” said Principal Eric Contreras. “Physics and the arts share a great deal in common and learning them together deepens the understanding of the science and beauty around us."

Article written with submission from Physics teacher, Mr. Tyler Bianco
Photos and video by Shelly Newman