Make a guitar

The guitar is one of the most popular instruments around the world, and different cultures have different variations. The Russian version called is the balalaika. In India it's called the sitar, and in Polynesia it's known as a ukulele. Even though the designs are somewhat different, all the versions make music the same way: by plucking or strumming strings, which creates sound vibrations. Try it for yourself!

What's going on?

When you pluck a rubber band on the guitar, you cause it to vibrate. The vibration travels through the rubber band and across the surface of the box and into the hole. The open area inside the box increases the amount of matter that is vibrating, causing the sound to be amplified.

Think about it

Try plucking a rubber band held between your fingers. How loud is the sound of the rubber band suspended in air compared to the rubber bands attached to the box?

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATTHEW RAKOLA
ADAPTED FROM THE NAT GEO KIDS BOOK MAKE THIS! BY ELLA SCHWARTZ