HEARING SOUND
-physical stimuli that prompts sense of hearing is sound waves-changes in pressure
caused by molecules of air or fluid colliding and moving apart -simplest sine wave (pure
tone) from tuning fork -human ear responds to frequencies 20Hz--20,000Hz-double
bass 50Hz
-sound requires a medium to move through: air, water, solid
-hearing also adapts-living in city don't hear noise
Frequency
Measured in the unit hertz, the number of sound waves or cycles per
second, determining the pitch of sound
Amplitude
measured in decibels, the magnitude or intensity of a sound wave,
determining the loudness of the sound; in vision the amplitude of a
light wave affects the brightness
Decibel
A unit of measurement of the intensity or loudness of a sound bases on
the amplitude of a wave
Timbre
The distinctive quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other
sounds of the same pitch and loudness
THE EAR
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- Fall '08
- SCHEFF
- Psychology
-
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