Noise pollution: acceptable decibel levels (non-statutory) | Science

Starter quiz

Which parts of the body do we use to hear sound?
- 'ears' ✓
What is the volume of a sound?
- How loud or quiet a sound is. ✓
- How a sound is made.
- How often you hear a sound.
Which of the following is the correct unit of measurement for the volume of sound?
- decibels (DB)
- decibels (dcB)
- decibels (Db)
- decibels (dB) ✓
- decibels (db)
The piece of equipment shown in the image contains a sound sensor and can be used to measure and record the volume of a sound. What is it called?
- 'data logger' ✓
What does it mean to classify objects?
- Sort objects into groups based on their similiarities. ✓
- Count objects to see how many there are.
- Predict what will happen when you test objects.
What do we call a material that can help to block sound waves from travelling?
- sound vibrator
- sound conductor
- sound insulator ✓

Exit quiz

Which of the following can be classified as noise?
- pleasant sound
- unpleasant sound ✓
- peaceful sound
- unwanted sound ✓
What unit is the symbol dB used for?
- 'decibels' ✓
Put the following sounds in order of increasing volume from the quietest to loudest.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  normal breathing
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  whispering
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  light rainfall
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  lawn mower
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  ambulance siren
Which of the following is the approximate volume of normal conversation?
- 6 dB
- 16 dB
- 60 dB ✓
- 160 dB
Levels of noise in an environment that are unwanted or harmful are classified as noise ...
- clean–up.
- pollution. ✓
- damage.
- injury.
What can a decibel scale be used for?
- To give examples of common sounds and their approximate decibel reading. ✓
- To find out the size of vibrations by weighing them on a scale.
- To find out if sounds should be classified as noise pollution. ✓
- To take the temperature of a noisy room.

Worksheet

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Noise is unwanted or unpleasant sound.
Noise pollution describes levels of noise in an environment that are unwanted or harmful.
The volume of sound is measured in decibels (dB).
Normal conversation is approximately 60 dB.
A decibel scale can be used to find out if sounds should be classified as noise pollution.

Common misconception

Children may think that any sound is classified as noise, or that only very loud sounds are considered to be noise pollution.

Explain that unpleasant or unwanted sounds are classified as noise. Noise pollution does not have to be loud, it can be an intermittent or continuous quieter noise that becomes a problem.

Keywords

Sound - We hear sound with our ears.
Noise - Noise is unpleasant or unwanted sound.
Classify - To classify is to sort objects into groups.
Noise pollution - Noise pollution is when sound becomes extremely unpleasant or unbearable and is a problem.
Decibel - The volume of sound is measured in decibels (dB).