Sound and Ear Review

Front

What are compressions and rarefactions in a sound wave?

Back

Compressions are areas where particles are close together in a sound wave, while rarefactions are areas where particles are spread apart.

Front

What is a crest and a trough in a wave?

Back

A crest is the highest point of a wave, while a trough is the lowest point.

Front

How does amplitude affect the volume of sound?

Back

The volume of a sound increases with higher amplitude and decreases with lower amplitude.

Front

What part of the ear sends sound messages to the brain?

Back

The hair-like structures in the cochlea that are attached to nerve cells send sound messages to the brain.

Front

What is a decibel?

Back

A decibel is the unit of measure used to gauge the loudness of sound.

Front

What is the medium in which sound travels?

Back

The medium is the substance (solid, liquid, or gas) through which sound waves travel.

Front

What is the speed of sound in air?

Back

The speed of sound in air at room temperature is approximately 343 meters per second.

Front

What is frequency in relation to sound?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a point in one second, measured in hertz (Hz).

Front

How does pitch relate to frequency?

Back

Pitch is how high or low a sound is, which is determined by the frequency of the sound wave; higher frequency means higher pitch.

Front

What is an echo?

Back

An echo is a reflection of sound that arrives at the listener after a delay.