Wave Physics and Sound Detection

Vocabulary flashcards covering the principles of waves, sound properties, human ear anatomy, and the use of echolocation/sonar.

Reflection

The process that happens when waves reach a solid barrier, such as a harbour wall, and bounce back.

Superposition

The effect where waves going in different directions pass through each other, causing their effects to add together or cancel out.

Transverse wave

A wave where particles move at right angles to the direction the wave is travelling, such as waves on the surface of water.

Longitudinal wave

A wave where particles vibrate in the same direction as the wave is travelling, such as a sound wave.

Amplitude

The maximum distance the particles move up or down from their original position.

Frequency

The number of sound waves per second.

Hertz ($Hz$)

The unit used to measure frequency.

High Amplitude

A characteristic of sound waves that results in a loud sound.

Low Amplitude

A characteristic of sound waves that results in a quiet sound.

Ultrasound

High frequency sound waves that can be used to treat injuries or clean complicated objects like jewellery by creating tiny bubbles in a liquid.

Eardrum

A thin membrane in the ear that vibrates when sound waves reach it.

Tiny bones

Structures in the ear that amplify vibrations and pass them to the cochlea.

Cochlea

A part of the ear containing liquid and tiny hairs that detect vibrations and create electrical signals.

Impulses

Electrical signals created by tiny hairs in the cochlea that travel to the brain.

Auditory nerve

The nerve along which impulses travel from the ear to reach the brain.

Echo

A reflected sound.

Echolocation

A method used by animals like dolphins and bats to find their way or prey by producing bursts of ultrasound and listening for the reflection.

Sonar

A form of echolocation used by humans to find fish in the sea or investigate the depth of the sea bed.

Frequency

The number of sound waves that pass a point per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Pitch

The perception of the frequency of sound; high frequency corresponds to high pitch, and low frequency corresponds to low pitch.

Amplitude

The size of the sound wave; high amplitude results in loud sounds, while low amplitude results in quiet sounds.