Make and use a hydrophone
In this activity, students make a hydrophone and use it to listen to underwater sounds.
Construct a hydrophone
Use a kitset and other easily obtainable components to construct an underwater microphone.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
understand how to modify an electret microphone to be used underwater
describe differences in how sounds are heard under water and above water in the air
Download the Word file for:
introduction/background notes
instructions on what you need and what to do
discussion questions
extension ideas.
Related content
Find out more about studying sound under water and read about the basics of sound waves and how sound travels through water to understand some of the key science concepts.
Useful link
Scientists from the Marine Science Department at the University of Otago use an underwater hydrophone to find out more about the lives of sperm whales. Find out more in this article from the Kiwi Conservation Club.
