Quick answer: Sound is made by vibrations and travels through a medium such as air, water or steel, but not through a vacuum. This grade 6 science test on sound waves has 8 questions worth 20 marks, to do in 45 minutes: how sound is made, no sound in space and two traces. The mark scheme is on a separate page; free printable PDF.
This grade 6 science test on sound waves test works like a real class test. The mark scheme is on a separate page, so revise with the lesson first.
This test lasts 45 minutes and is worth 20 points. Use the term vibration in your explanations, show your working for every calculation and write units. A calculator is allowed.
Level: Grade 6 science (Year 7 · Class 6) · Curriculum: MS-PS4-1
Sound waves test: the test questions
Question 1 How sound is made (3 marks)
State what produces all sounds, and name the part that vibrates in a drum and in a guitar.Question 2 No sound in space (3 marks)
Explain, using particles, why sound cannot travel through a vacuum.Question 3 Two traces (4 marks)
The diagram shows two sounds P and Q on the same time scale.- State which sound is louder. (1 mark)
- State which sound has the higher pitch. (1 mark)
- Calculate the frequency of P. (1 mark)
- Calculate the frequency of Q. (1 mark)
Question 4 Canyon echo (2 marks)
A hiker shouts in a canyon and hears the echo from the far wall 2.4 s later. Calculate the distance to the wall. Use 340 m/s.Question 5 Hearing care (2 marks)
Give two ways a student can protect their hearing when using headphones.Question 6 Loudness and pitch (3 marks)
Explain the difference between loudness and pitch, and state what property of the vibration controls each.Question 7 Speed of sound (2 marks)
Explain why sound travels faster in steel than in air.Question 8 Unit (1 mark)
State the unit of frequency.
