# The human ear can detect sounds within a certain range of frequencies. Explain how sound waves travel from the outer ear to the auditory nerve, and state what happens to the signal once it reaches the auditory nerve.

> WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales) — 5.2 Gravitational fields (A-Level only) · Explain · 5 marks

> Sound travels as a longitudinal wave through the air and must be converted into electrical signals inside the ear before the brain can interpret it.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The outer ear (pinna) collects the sound waves
2. Sound waves cause the eardrum (thin membrane) to vibrate
3. Vibration of the eardrum causes the ear bones to oscillate
4. Oscillations travel through the fluid-filled cochlea, where cells convert the vibrations into electrical signals
5. The auditory nerve transfers the electrical signals from the cochlea to the brain

## Key terms

- [outer ear](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/outer-ear)
- [auditory nerve](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/auditory-nerve)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/the-human-ear-can-detect-sounds-b2364fc9) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.