Measurements
Interference
Waves
Vocabulary
The Human Ear
100

The definition of Hertz (Hz)

Waves per Second
100

Waves of the same frequency and matching amplitude direction.

Constructive Interference

100

Required for any mechanical wave. 

A medium

100

Energy moving through a medium

Wave
100

This tight membrane vibrates in response to differences in air pressure.

Ear Drum

200

If the frequency is decreasing, then what must the wavelength be doing?

Increasing

200

Waves of the same frequency and opposing amplitude directions

Destructive Interference

200

The range of frequencies that the human ear can register. 

20 Hz - 20,000 Hz (children)
50 Hz - 15,000 Hz (Adults/Elderly)

200

The number of waves produced every second.

Frequency

200

The nerve responsible for communicating sound and balance information to the brain.

Vestibular Nerve

300

The severity of the difference between these determines the volume.

Alternating regions of high/low pressure.

300

Used by noise canceling headphones.

Destructive Interference

300

Positive amplitude corresponds to this physical quantity. 

Higher Air Pressure

300

The unit of frequency.

Hertz (Hz)

300

The number of axis of motion that the semicircular canals measure.

3 (three)

400

The unit of "loudness"

Decibel

400

Used by concert venues when considering speaker placement.

Constructive Interference

400

The state of matter through which the speed of sound is the greatest. 

Solid

400

The difference between wave resting position and its maximum height

Amplitude

400

The fragile and precise bones within the ear. 

Ossicles (Malleus, Incus, Stapes)

500

The frequency of a sound made by 18 wavelengths produced over 2 seconds.  

9 Hz

500

This property strongly influences the speed of sound through a material.

Density

500

The distance between corresponding regions of air pressure.

Wavelength

500

The antenna and fluid filled organ that interprets vibration as a sound impulse to the brain.

Cochlea