The purpose of this section is to ensure that you have an understanding of the basic acoustics required for understanding of the physiology of the ear.  We will focus on how intensity and frequency relate to air molecule motion.

1)Choose the correct answer, a) or b).

Sound is:

    a) when air molecules move across the room in an up and down pattern as shown below

b.  When air molecules move, they are actually just sort of quiverring back and forth.
They don't move very far at all, as illustrated below.

2)  If air molecules are vibrating back and forth from their position of rest
very RAPIDLY, then:
    a)  the sound is low intensity
    b)  the sound is high intensity
    c)  the sound is low frequency
    d)  the sound is high frequency

3)  If air molecules are vibrating back and forth from their position quite a
distance (the amount of molecule displacement is relatively great), then:
    a)  the sound is low intensity
    b)  the sound is high intensity
    c)  the sound is low frequency
    d)  the sound is high frequency

4)  Which sine wave illustrates the higher frequency sound?

5)  Which sound has the greater intensity?

6)  Which statement is true?

a)  Sine wave B is higher in intensity and in frequency
b)  Sine wave B is lower in intensity and in frequency
c)  Sine wave B is higher in intensity and lower in frequency
d)  Sine wave B is lower in intensity and higher in frequency

7)  If a sound creates air molecules vibration back and forth
that increases in distance, and the rate of vibration slows down,
then . . .

a)  the sound has become higher in intensity and in frequency
b)  the sound has become lower in intensity and in frequency
c)  the sound has become higher in intensity and lower in frequency
d)  the sound has become lower in intensity and higher in frequency

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