Sound Flashcards
Describe the properties of sound waves
The wavelength of a sound wave indicates the distance that wave travels before it repeats itself
Type of sound wave
Longitudinal wave
Define compressions
· The compressions represent areas of high density
Define rarefaction
· The rarefactions represent areas of low density
Define wave length
The distance from the start of one compression to the start of the next compression (or from the start of one rarefaction to the start of the next).
Define frequency
- The number of waves passing a given point per second (measured in Hertz (Hz))
- 1 Hz is equal to 1 wave per second
Define amplitude in sound
A measure of how compressed or rarefied a medium becomes
A high amplitude indicates a high-intensity sound (i.e. louder)
Define pitch
The rate at which the vibration are produces
Define outer ear
- Acts as a funnel to sound waves
- The soundwaves travel through the ear canal and hits the eardrum causing it to vibrate
The vibrations then enter the middle ear
Define middle ear
- Contains the 3 smallest bones in the body
• Hammer, anvil and stirrup
The vibrations travel through the 3 bones and are transmitted to a liquid-filled inner ear
Define inner ear
- Contain the cochlea
- Cochlea is snail shaped
• Contains liquid and hundreds of cell attached to nerve fibers
The nerve fibers form one larger nerve that travels to the brain where they are interpreted as sound