Hooked on Science: Han Solo's sound blaster

Materials

• 18-ounce plastic cup
• Metal Slinky
• Pipe cleaner

Instructions

STEP 1: Hold the top ring of the metal Slinky to the bottom of the plastic cup.

STEP 2: Gently swing the Slinky back and forth, allowing the Slinky to hit the floor, and observe.

Explanation

Sound is vibrations moving through matter. As you swing the Slinky back and forth, allowing it to hit the floor, it vibrates. Those vibrations move through the Slinky to the cup. The cup amplifies the vibrations, allowing you to hear what sounds like Han Solo's blaster.