Working of the Human Ear


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Working of the Human Ear

Working of Human Ear: Pinna collects the sound waves from the surroundings. These collected sound waves pass through the ear canal (auditory canal) and fall on the eardrum. Since, sound waves are longitudinal waves, these waves consist of compressions (high pressure regions) and rarefactions (low pressure regions).

When a compression of the medium reaches the eardrum, the pressure on the outside of the membrane (eardrum) increases and forces the eardrum inward. Similarly, when the rarefaction of sound wave falls on the eardrum, the pressure on the outside of the membrane (eardrum) decreases and it moves outward. In this way, when sound waves fall on the eardrum, it starts vibrating back and forth rapidly.

These vibrations are amplified several times by the three bones (hammer, anvil and stirr up) in the middle ear and then passes to the liquid in the cochlea. Due to this, the liquid in the cochlea begins to vibrate and the pressure variations are turned into electrical signals by the cochlea. These electrical signals are carried by auditory nerve.

Sample Questions
(More Questions for each concept available in Login)
Question : 1

Which of the following are correct :

(a)  High pressure regions of sound waves are known as Compression.

(b) Low pressure regions of sound waves are known as Rarefaction.

(c) High pressure regions of sound waves are known as Rarefaction.

Right Option : A
View Explanation
Explanation
Question : 2

Low pressure regions of sound waves are known as  ________________________.

Right Option : C
View Explanation
Explanation
Question : 3

The pressure variations are turned into electrical signals by the ____________________ .

Right Option : B
View Explanation
Explanation
 
 


Students / Parents Reviews [20]