15. Exercises XV

1. What is the loudness of sound? What factors does it depend on?

 

The loudness of a sound is determined by its pitchamplitudemechanical energy. It is proportional to the root of the frequency of vibrationsroot of the amplitude of vibrationssquare of the frequency of vibrationssquare of the amplitude of vibrations of sound.

 

2. Explain how bats use ultrasound to catch prey.

 

Bats produce high amplitudehigh-pitchedlow-pitchedhigh amplitude, low frequencyhigh frequencyultrasonic squeaks. These squeaks are absorbedreflected by objects like prey and brought back to the ear of the bat. This helps the bat to understand his prey's distance.