# Explain how the human ear detects sound waves and converts them into signals that are sent to the brain.

> WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales) — 5.3 Electric and magnetic fields (A-Level only) · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The outer ear (pinna) collects / gathers the sound waves
2. Sound waves cause the ear drum (thin membrane) to vibrate
3. Vibrations of the ear drum cause the ear bones to oscillate
4. The oscillations travel through the fluid-filled cochlea, where cells convert the vibrations into electrical signals
5. The electrical signals are transferred to the brain via the auditory nerve

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