PSYC 211 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Sine Wave, Fundamental Frequency, Agnosia
10 Nov 2015
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Sounds are produced by vibrating objects that set molecules of air into motion. These molecules condense and rarefy (pull apart) to produce sound waves that travel at 700m/h. A vibration has to range between 30-20,000 times/s, the waves will stimulate the receptor cells in our ears and produce sound. Pitch is determined by the frequency of the vibrations. Pitch is measured in hertz (hz) aka cycles per second. Loudness refers to intensity: the degree to which condensations and rarefactions of air differ from each other. The more vigorous the vibrations, the more intense, the more intense the sound waves, and the louder they are. For example, timbre determines the difference between an oboe and a train whistle that have the same pitch and loudness. Timbre corresponds to the complexity of the sound. Sound is funneled via the pinna (external ear) through the ear canal to the tympanic membrane (eardrum). The external ear contain several folds and ridges.
