Sound Waves and Hearing
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How does sound travel?
It travels as a longitudinal wave through the vibration of particles bumping into one another.
In which state of matter does sound travel the fastest, and why?
Solids. The particles are packed closer together, allowing vibrations to pass more easily from particle to particle.
What is the approximate speed of sound in air?
340 m/s.
Does sound travel faster in more dense or less dense gases?
It travels faster in less dense gases (like Helium) compared to more dense gases.
How does the human ear detect sound waves initially?
Sound waves travel through the auditory canal and cause the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to vibrate.
What are the three small bones in the middle ear called?
The ossicles: the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup.
What is the role of the cochlea in hearing?
Vibrations move through its fluid, stimulating thousands of tiny hair cells which transform vibrations into electrical impulses for the brain.
What wave property dictates the pitch of a sound?
Frequency. High frequency = high pitch; low frequency = low pitch.
What wave property dictates the loudness of a sound?
Amplitude. Larger amplitude = louder sound.