SOS: Sect2-pg3: Try It | Dangerous Decibels Online Educator Training

Science of Sound: 2. How is Sound Made?

Gently strike one of the tuning fork tines against the heel of your shoe again, but this time try to LIGHTLY place the tines on the palm of your hand. Do you feel the tickle?

Next gently strike one of the tuning fork tines again, and this time place the base of the tuning fork STEM on your forehead.

2. How is Sound Made?

What happens when you place the STEM on your forehead? What happens when you place the STEM on your forehead? I hear a tone in both ears. I hear a tone in one ear. I feel the vibrations in my ear.

That’s right (if you have normal hearing)! When you touch the vibrating tuning fork to your forehead, the vibrations are transmitted to your skull, and then to both ears.

Try it again and see what happens. You may feel vibrations on your forehead, but what do you hear?

That's correct (if you have unilateral hearing)! When you touch the vibrating tuning fork to your forehead, the vibrations are transmitted to your skull, and then to your ear.