How strings generate sounds: Which of the following theories best describes the way that the string generates sound?
C) - When the string vibrates, it vibrates air particles that come into contact with it. The air particles collide with neighbouring ones, and this is repeated in all directions, creating a travelling sound wave.
CONCEPT: transmission in air of the sound emitted by a guitar string.
Students often apply an entity model (option D), based on sound as travelling air molecules (molecules travel from the string into the ear) rather than a wave model:
The incorrect (entity) understanding:
D) When the string vibrates, it gives rise to movement in the air particles that come into contact with it. These travelling air particles spread in all directions through the rest of the air particles, thus making the sound that is propagated.
