Professor Sophie Scott explains how sounds are made in our larynx when the vocal folds vibrate.
She then demonstrates a larynx in action with the help of Professor Martin Birchall (a consultant head and neck surgeon at UCLH) and soprano singer, Francesca Chiejina.
A nasal endoscope is used to show what Francesca's larynx is doing when she sings.
This clip is from the The Royal Institution Christmas Lecture - The Language of Life.
Teacher Notes
Before watching the film you could ask students how they think we make sounds.
Do they know what the larynx is and does?
Curriculum Notes
This film is relevant for teaching Physics and Biology at Key Stage 3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at 3rd Level in Scotland, and Cambridge IGCSE Physics.