The auditory system - The Nature of Sound

4 important questions on The auditory system - The Nature of Sound

Sound is changes in air pressure that create waves. State the 2 components of sound waves

Frequency, number of cycles of sound waves per second. Determined by length of sound waves
Amplitude, size or height of these waves

What does the frequency and amplitude of a sound determine? How does high/low frequency and amplitude manifest on graph and in the ears?

Frequency determines pitch, high Hz = high pitch, shorter waves in terms of width. Low Hz = low pitch, long wide waves
Amplitude determines volume, high dB = tall waves mean louder sound and low dB = short waves meaning softer sound

How does the ear respond to sound waves, what is the pathway and the structures involved?

Air pressure (with Hz and dB)→ tympanic membrane, vibrates in direct response to the Hz & dB (physical energy → middle ear bones → something the brain can understand (transduction)
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What are the range of Hz that humans can hear and what are the optimum ranges that the brain can pick up crisp?

20 - 20,000 hz
1500 - 4000hz

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