Physics of Sound Notes

Question 0

2 Types of Aperiodic Sounds

Answer 0

1. Continuous aperiodic sounds (Noise) (LONGISH)

2. Transients (BRIEF)

Question 1

Aperiodic Sound

Answer 1

Any sound that does not show a repeating pattern in its time domain representation.

Question 2

Example of Transient Sound

Answer 2

(Pops & Clicks)

Question 3

Peak Amplitude refers to what?

Answer 3

The maximum momentary displacement obtained by the vibrating source.

Question 4

Peak-to-Peak Amplitude:

Answer 4

Equals the distance between the maximum displacement points in both directions around the rest position.

(In the case of a sine wave, the peak-to-peak amplitude is simply twice the peak amplitude.)

Question 5

Instantaneous Amplitude:

Answer 5

The amplitude that the wave assumes at any moment in time.

Question 6

Period:

Answer 6

The period of an object that moves in simple harmonic motion is thee time it takes to complete one cycle of vibration.

Question 7

Primary function of the outermost portion (The Conductive Mechanism)

Answer 7

(Brings at Pinna)To bring vibrational sound energy from outside the head to thee inner portions of the ear so they can be used by the sensorineural mechanism.

Question 8

EAM

Answer 8

External Auditory Meatus or Ear Canal (Ends at the tympanic membrane)

Question 9

Middle Ear Anatomy

Answer 9

Small air-filled space

Contains 3 bones called Ossicles

Question 10

Importance of conductive mechanism:

Answer 10

Transporting the sound energy from the pinna to the inner ear is critical to the sensitivity of the auditory mechanism.

Question 11

The Cochlea

Answer 11

The sensory organ of hearing.
Spiral shaped organ
Responsible for converting the sound energy carried inward by the conductive mechanism into a neurological code that can be interpreted by the central auditory mechanism.

Question 12

VIII Cranial Nerve

Answer 12

The neurological code that now represents the auditory stimulus is carried by the VIII cranial nerve (The Auditory Nerve) to the central auditory mechanism.

Question 13

The Cochlea and the VIII Cranial Nerve

Answer 13

are known jointly as the Sensorineural portions of the auditory mechanism.

Question 14

The Central Auditory Mehanism

Answer 14

Is responsible for the recognition, interpretation, and integration of auditory information. The auditory message, after being encoded by the cochlea, passes through the brainstem on its way to the cortex.

Question 15

The primary unit of frequency is?

Answer 15

Hz

Question 16

The number of completed cycles in a 1-second time period is known as:

Answer 16

frequency

Question 17

The distance a vibrating body moves from its point of rest is known as:

Answer 17

amplitude

Question 18

The ________ of a wave is equal to the time needed to complete one cycle.

Answer 18

period

Question 19

The type of vibration that will produce a pure tone is known as __________.

Answer 19

Simple harmonic motion.

Question 20

As the frequency increases, the wavelength of a pure tone ___________.

Answer 20

Decreases

Question 21

The waveform of a pure tone is plotted as a _________.

Answer 21

Sine wave

Question 22

The lowest frequency in a harmonic series is known as the_________.

Answer 22

Fundamental frequency

Question 23

A sound composed of several pure tones is known as a _____________.

Answer 23

Complex tone.