Äänivärähtely

Äänivärähtely refers to the physical vibration of matter that propagates as a sound wave. These vibrations are typically generated by a source, such as a musical instrument, a human voice, or a mechanical device. The vibrations cause the surrounding medium, most commonly air, to compress and expand in a series of waves. These compressions and rarefactions travel outwards from the source at a specific speed, determined by the properties of the medium.

When these sound waves reach the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted through the middle ear bones to the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical signals. The brain interprets these signals as sound. The characteristics of the sound wave, such as its frequency (pitch) and amplitude (loudness), are determined by the properties of the original vibration. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) and represents the number of vibrations per second. Amplitude is related to the intensity of the vibration and determines how loud the sound is perceived. Sound waves can also interact with objects, causing them to reflect, refract, or diffract, which influences how we perceive sound in different environments.