32 Questions
We can detect a difference between two sounds as little as 1/30 the interval ______
Physics
Human hearing is sensitive to sounds that vibrate the eardrum by less than one-tenth the diameter of an ______
atom
Amplitude is the relative strength of sound waves (transmitted vibrations), which we perceive as ______ or volume
loudness
A high-frequency sound wave corresponds to a high pitch sound, whereas a low-frequency sound wave corresponds to a low pitch ______
sound
Amplitude is measured in ______ (dB), which refer to the sound pressure level or intensity
decibels
The frequency of a sound is the number of compressions per second, measured in ______ (Hz, cycles per second)
hertz
Timbre is a quality of sound that makes voices or musical instruments sound different from each other based on their __________.
quality
The external ear is formed by the pinna and the external auditory canal, which receives sounds and transmits them to the middle ear via the __________.
eardrum
The middle ear includes the ossicles, three minuscule bones called the __________, incus, and stapes.
malleus
The bone forms a bridge between the eardrum and the inner ear through the oval window that covers the __________.
cochlea
A narrow tube of approximately 3.5 cm in length, called the Eustachian tube, connects the ear to the outer part of the nose and acts as an equalizing valve to balance the pressure on either side of the __________.
eardrum
The inner ear includes the cochlea, a structure that has a spiral shape similar to a snail shell, and is located in the bony labyrinth, which has several membranous sections filled with fluids called __________.
endolymph
The Organ of Corti transforms the mechanical energy of the sound waves into nerve energy by creating electric impulses that are sent to the brain through the __________ nerve.
auditory
Your ability to understand speech or enjoy music depends on your ability to differentiate among sounds of different __________.
frequencies
According to the place theory, each frequency activates the hair cells at only one place along the basilar membrane, and the nervous system distinguishes among frequencies based on which __________ respond.
neurons
According to the frequency theory, a sound at 50 Hz would cause __________ action potentials per second in the auditory nerve.
50
What is the maximum amplitude that human hearing is sensitive to?
Less than one-tenth the diameter of an atom
In what unit is amplitude measured?
Decibels (dB)
How is pitch related to the frequency of a sound wave?
A high-frequency sound wave corresponds to a high pitch sound, whereas a low-frequency sound wave corresponds to a low pitch sound.
What is the structure in the middle ear that includes the ossicles?
Malleus, incus, and stapes
What is the unit of measurement for the frequency of a sound?
Hertz (Hz)
What is the role of the Eustachian tube in the ear?
Acts as an equalizing valve to balance the pressure on either side of the eardrum
What is the function of the Eustachian tube in the ear?
equalizing valve
What is the smallest bone in the human body located in the middle ear?
stapes
How is the basilar membrane compared to the strings of a piano according to the place theory?
tuned to a specific frequency
What is the function of the Organ of Corti in the ear?
creating electric impulses
What is the current overarching theory that combines both the place theory and the frequency theory?
modification of both theories
What is the function of the cochlea in the inner ear?
transforming sound waves into nerve energy
What is the function of the pinna in the external ear?
receives sounds
What is the function of the ossicles in the middle ear?
form a bridge between the eardrum and the inner ear
What connects the ear to the outer part of the nose and acts as an equalizing valve?
Eustachian tube
What is the function of the basilar membrane according to the place theory?
tuned to a specific frequency
Study Notes
Human Hearing Sensitivity
- We can detect a difference between two sounds as little as 1/30 the interval of a semitone.
- Human hearing is sensitive to sounds that vibrate the eardrum by less than one-tenth the diameter of a human hair.
Sound Characteristics
- Amplitude is the relative strength of sound waves, which we perceive as loudness or volume.
- Amplitude is measured in decibels (dB), which refer to the sound pressure level or intensity.
- The frequency of a sound is the number of compressions per second, measured in Hertz (Hz, cycles per second).
- A high-frequency sound wave corresponds to a high pitch sound, whereas a low-frequency sound wave corresponds to a low pitch sound.
Anatomy of the Ear
- The external ear is formed by the pinna and the external auditory canal, which receives sounds and transmits them to the middle ear via the eardrum.
- The middle ear includes the ossicles, three minuscule bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes.
- The stapes bone forms a bridge between the eardrum and the inner ear through the oval window that covers the cochlea.
- The Eustachian tube connects the ear to the outer part of the nose and acts as an equalizing valve to balance the pressure on either side of the eardrum.
Inner Ear and Sound Processing
- The inner ear includes the cochlea, a structure that has a spiral shape similar to a snail shell, and is located in the bony labyrinth, which has several membranous sections filled with fluids called endolymph.
- The Organ of Corti transforms the mechanical energy of the sound waves into nerve energy by creating electric impulses that are sent to the brain through the auditory nerve.
- Your ability to understand speech or enjoy music depends on your ability to differentiate among sounds of different frequencies.
Theories of Sound Processing
- According to the place theory, each frequency activates the hair cells at only one place along the basilar membrane, and the nervous system distinguishes among frequencies based on which hair cells respond.
- According to the frequency theory, a sound at 50 Hz would cause 50 action potentials per second in the auditory nerve.
- The current overarching theory combines both the place theory and the frequency theory.
Explore the physics and psychology of sound as it relates to human hearing sensitivity, sound waves, amplitude, and frequency. Learn about the intricate process of detecting and differentiating between various sound waves.
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