Hearing and the Ear: Resonance and Ultrasound Applications

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Which of the following best describes the nature of sound waves?

Sound waves are particles that are emitted from the source and travel through the air.
Sound waves are transverse waves that travel through a material medium.
Sound waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum.
Sound waves are longitudinal waves that are caused by vibrations and travel through a material medium. (correct)

What is the relationship between the speed of sound and the medium it travels through?

The speed of sound is determined by the temperature of the medium, not the type of medium.
The speed of sound is faster in liquids and solids than in gases. (correct)
The speed of sound is the same in all mediums.
The speed of sound is faster in gases than in liquids and solids.

Which of the following factors determines the loudness of a sound?

The intensity of the sound wave. (correct)
The distance from the sound source.
The pitch of the sound wave.
The frequency of the sound wave.

What is the relationship between the pitch of a sound and the frequency of the sound wave?

A high-pitched sound corresponds to a high frequency. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using sonar technology?

Sonar is used to detect and locate objects under water using sound waves. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the human ear in relation to sound?

The human ear is used to detect and interpret the frequency and pitch of sound waves. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the ear does resonance occur in?

Inner ear (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens when hair cells near the vibrating part of the basilar membrane are stimulated?

They send an impulse to the brain (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of sonar?

Both B and C (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does sonar determine the distance to an object?

By measuring the time it takes for sound waves to be reflected back (B) Signup and view all the answers

What determines how much sound is reflected at a boundary between two materials?

The density of the materials at each boundary (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a sonogram?

A computer image created from reflected sound waves (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the frequency range for infrasound?

Below 20 Hz (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes ultrasound?

Sound wave with frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does resonance refer to in musical instruments?

A phenomenon that occurs when two objects naturally vibrate at the same frequency (D) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the natural frequency of an object?

Material from which the object is made (B) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of vibrations do human ears sense?

Mechanical vibrations in the air (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is an audible sound wave frequency that humans can perceive?

$40$ Hz (D) Signup and view all the answers