The Human Ear
What is the name of the outside part of the ear that we see?
Name 1 thing that sound can travel through.
Solids, liquids, or gases
Name 1 sound that is unsafe for the human ear.
helicopters, gun shot, airplane, semi truck, lawn mower, etc.
Vibrate
When molecules shake, move, or bump together.
Sounds can move matter (solids, liquids, gases).
True or False?
True! Sounds are made when molecules vibrate. Vibrations can move things, like rice on saran wrap.
What part of the ear acts like a drum?
Ear Drum
High pitch sounds are moving slowly. True or False?
False. High pitch sounds are moving fast.
What are decibels?
The measured loudness of sound.
Volume
How loud a sound is (loud, quiet)
Name 1 way that someone can communicate without sound.
Sign language, gestures (actions), writing
What is the eustachian tube for?
It helps with air pressure! We "pop" our ears with this.
What "medium" does sound travel through the easiest? Solids, liquids or gases?
Solids
No, not always! Sometimes we are not exposed long enough to have hearing loss. (depending on how loud)
Sound
Something we hear when matter (solids, liquids, gases) vibrate.
What is a tuning fork used for?
Making sure an instrument is in tune, with the correct pitch.
Name the 3 ossicles.
Hammer, Anvil, Stirrup
Draw a loud sound wave, compared to a quiet sound wave on the board.
Quiet = short waves
Name 3 ways to protect your ears from dangerous sounds.
Limit exposure
Wear Ear Protection
Stay further away
Avoid them completely
Pitch
How high or low a sound is. Frequency (speed) changes pitch.
Hanger Experiment: Why does sound appear so loud when hitting the hanger on a table?
The hanger and string are both solid...the vibration travels directly to your ear. Solids have more vibrating molecules.
The stirrup vibrates the fluid inside the cochlea. The fluid flows back and forth and moves tiny hairs, called cilia, which are nerve cells.
Draw a high pitch sound wave, compared to a low pitch sound wave on the board.
High pitch = close together
Low pitch = far apart/spread out
What level of dB (decibels) is dangerous to the human ears?
85 dB
Amplitude
How tall (loud) a sound wave is
Explain the entire process of hearing sound.
Something vibrates > The air molecules vibrate > It reaches our ear and travels through > Our brain receives the signal from the auditory nerve