Science waves

Sound energy travels as a wave becuase

They are created in air and travel through air to your ear

amplitude

the distance between the bottom ( trough) and the top ( crest) of the wave

frequency

number of waves produced each second. Measured in hertz

wavelength

the distance measured between crest to crest

Period

time it takes to move from crest to crest

How is sound reflected when it contacts a solid or liquid surface

solid: does not reflect

Liquid: reflects

Sound reflection e.g echoes

an echo happens when sound reflects back at you

Pinna

Funnels sound into the ear

Semicirc

ular canal filled with fluid and gives us our sense of balance

Cochlea

fluid filled structure that converts sound vibrations into electrical signals

Auditory nerve

Electrical signals are sent via the auditory nerve to the brain which interprets them as sound

Ear canal

leads pinnacle to the eardrum. Produces earwax that acts as a maturely barrier keeping out foreign objects

Ear drum

Thin membrane separating outer and middle ear. It vibrates when sound sticks to it

Eustachian tube

Connects middle ear to the back of the throat. Air moves in and out through this tube to equalise air pressure on both sides of the ear drum

Hearing aids

Amplify sound by microphone picking up the sound, amplifier increases the volume, the speaker sends sound into ear

Cochlear implants

replace damaged parts of the ear. Sound is picked up, converted to electrical signals, directly stimulates the auditory nerve

Conductive hearing loss

problem in outer and middle ear. Causes are earwax, infections and eardrums are bad

Sensorineural hearing loss

damage to inner ear or nerve, causes aging, loud noise, genetics

Tech helps hearing loss by

improves communication, enhances quality of life. But expensive, requires adjustment

The law

angle of incidence= angle of reflection

Smooth vs curved

smooth: light reflects in one direction

Curved: light scatters