Sound All Around

Sound All Around

What Makes Sound? Crash, boom, bam, bang, swoosh, and splash--sounds are all around us.

People, animals, and objects make sounds. Even the weather makes sound. Sounds can be loud or soft. They can be pleasant or unpleasant.

Animals use sound in many ways. Humans use sound to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Other animals use sound to communicate, too. They use sound to defend themselves, attract a mate, or signal a warning.

Humans have invented many things to make sounds. Drums, bagpipes, and stringed instruments make music. Horns, bells, and sirens sound warnings or call people to events. Alarm clocks signal with music or loud beeps that it is time to get out of bed.

What Is Sound? Sound is made when an object vibrates, or moves back and forth very quickly. People make sound to talk when air vibrates vocal cords in their throats. Different vibrations in the vocal cords make different sounds.