How People Produce Sound

Guiding Question:

How do people produce sound?

Hypothesis: People produce sound by

Objective:

In this experiment, we will observe how vocal cords affect the sounds you make and observe how our lips, tongues, and teeth influence the sounds we make.

Procedure:

For this lab, work with a partner.

1. Pronounce the words in the list below to your partner. Pay attention to how you pronounce the first letter of each word.

Word List:

boat

fan

kite

pen

sister

dog

vote

gate

zebra

tone

2. Together decide if you are stopping your breath when you are pronouncing the first letter of each word. Use a check mark to record in the Data and Observations section if the consonant is stopped or open.

FIRST LETTER	STOPPED	OPEN
B	yes
F		yes
K	Yes
P	Yes
S		Yes
D	Yes
V		Yes
G	Yes
Z		Yes
T	yes

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Is the shape of your mouth or the position of your teeth or tongue different when you pronounce a "d" than when you pronounce a "t"?

Yes, the tongue movements are different.

2. What is the difference between the sound of a "d" and the sound of a "v"?

V is with your lips and teeth, while d is with your tongue.

3. For which first-letter sound(s) in the table do you use your lips and your voice, but not your tongue or your teeth?

B and P

4. What part of the larynx is like the strings of a guitar?

The vocal chords

Why are women's voices usually of a higher pitch than men's?

Our vocal chords are more tightly stretched.

Why then, are the voices of young girls and boys of about the same pitch?

Your vocal chords don't stretch until you start growing up.