Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player

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edited by Caroline Hall
content provider: David Straw

In this investigation adaptable for Grades 6-12, students build and test their own inexpensive vinyl record players to explore three concepts: 1) The relationship of sound loudness and the material used for amplification; 2) How sound is produced from within the grooves of a vinyl record; and 3) How timbre is affected by the material used in the amplifier. The lesson integrates engineering design and introductory acoustics concepts. Commercial turntables are not required -- materials include power drills (to serve as a uniformly rotating "turntable"), nuts, bolts, large-gauge sewing needles (to serve as the stylus), disposable cups of differing materials, and vinyl records. The lesson includes background information, vocabulary, data sheets for recording test results, and closing activity to identify energy transformations and information processing in the system.

Song Science: Make Your Own Vinyl Record Player
by Caroline Hall and David Straw

download 1129kb .pdf
Published: February 7, 2018
Rights: ©AAPT, 2018
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Teacher's Guide: Make Your Own Vinyl Record Player
by Caroline Hall and David Straw
Word Version: Print and customize your lesson
download 7778kb .docx
Published: February 12, 2018
Rights: ©AAPT, 2018

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Student Guide: Make Your Own Vinyl Record Player
by Caroline Hall and David Straw
Printable student version for classroom distribution.
download 7634kb .docx
Published: February 12, 2018
Rights: ©AAPT, 2018

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Oscillations & Waves - Acoustics = Intensity and Attenuation - Sound Reproduction - Wave Motion = Longitudinal Pulses and Waves Other Sciences - Engineering	- High School - Middle School	- Instructional Material = Activity = Instructor Guide/Manual = Lesson/Lesson Plan = Student Guide

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Educators - Learners	- application/pdf	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Available by subscription
Restriction:: © 2018 American Association of Physics Teachers
Use limited to members of American Association of Physics Teachers.
Keywords:: analog, analog signal, engineering design, turntable
Record Creator:: Metadata instance created February 12, 2018 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: March 8, 2018 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: February 7, 2018
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

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Next Generation Science Standards

Engineering Design (MS-ETS1)

Students who demonstrate understanding can: (6-8)

Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success. (MS-ETS1-3)

Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer (HS-PS4)

Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)

Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy. (HS-PS4-5)

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Wave Properties (PS4.A)

A simple wave has a repeating pattern with a specific wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. (6-8)
A sound wave needs a medium through which it is transmitted. (6-8)

Information Technologies and Instrumentation (PS4.C)

Multiple technologies based on the understanding of waves and their interactions with matter are part of everyday experiences in the modern world (e.g., medical imaging, communications, scanners) and in scientific research. They are essential tools for producing, transmitting, and capturing signals and for storing and interpreting the information contained in them. (9-12)

Developing Possible Solutions (ETS1.B)

A solution needs to be tested, and then modified on the basis of the test results in order to improve it. There are systematic processes for evaluating solutions with respect to how well they meet criteria and constraints of a problem. (6-8)

Optimizing the Design Solution (ETS1.C)

Criteria may need to be broken down into simpler ones that can be approached systematically, and decisions about the priority of certain criteria over others (trade-offs) may be needed. (9-12)

Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)

Patterns (K-12)

Graphs and charts can be used to identify patterns in data. (6-8)

Structure and Function (K-12)

Investigating or designing new systems or structures requires a detailed examination of the properties of different materials, the structures of different components, and connections of components to reveal its function and/or solve a problem. (9-12)

Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World (K-12)

Technologies extend the measurement, exploration, modeling, and computational capacity of scientific investigations. (6-8)
Engineers continuously modify these technological systems by applying scientific knowledge and engineering design practices to increase benefits while decreasing costs and risks. (9-12)

Science is a Human Endeavor (3-12)

Science is a result of human endeavors, imagination, and creativity. (9-12)

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)

Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)

Analyzing data in 6–8 builds on K–5 and progresses to extending quantitative analysis to investigations, distinguishing between correlation and causation, and basic statistical techniques of data and error analysis. (6-8)
- Analyze and interpret data to determine similarities and differences in findings. (6-8)

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions (K-12)

Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to include constructing explanations and designing solutions supported by multiple sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories. (6-8)
- Construct an explanation that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables that describe phenomena. (6-8)

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations (K-12)

Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to include investigations that use multiple variables and provide evidence to support explanations or design solutions. (6-8)
- Collect data to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to answer scientific questions or test design solutions under a range of conditions. (6-8)

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics Alignments

Standards for Mathematical Practice (K-12)

MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=14556">Hall, Caroline, ed. "Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player." 2018.</a>

AIP Format

, 2018, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14556&DocID=4735).

AJP/PRST-PER

Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player, 2018, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14556&DocID=4735>.

APA Format

Hall, C. (Ed.). (2018). Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14556&DocID=4735

Chicago Format

Hall, Caroline, ed. "Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player." 2018. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14556&DocID=4735 (accessed 1 May 2025).

MLA Format

Hall, Caroline, ed. Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player. 2018. 1 May 2025 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14556&DocID=4735>.

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@techreport{ Title = {Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player}, Month = {February}, Year = {2018} }

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%A Caroline Hall, (ed) %T Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player %D February 7, 2018 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14556&DocID=4735 %O application/pdf

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%0 Report %D February 7, 2018 %T Song Science: Build Your Own Vinyl Record Player %E Hall, Caroline %8 February 7, 2018 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14556&DocID=4735

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