Question 1

What is sound?

Accepted Answer

Sound is like tiny waves that travel through the air. These waves can also move through water or solid objects like the ground.

Question 2

How do we hear sound?

Accepted Answer

Our ears catch sound waves, which make parts inside our ear move. These movements send signals to our brain, which turns them into sounds we recognize.

Question 3

Why do some sounds hurt our ears?

Accepted Answer

Some sounds are too loud, like a firework, and they can hurt our ears. It's like how looking at the sun hurts your eyes because it's too bright.

Question 4

Why do different things make different sounds?

Accepted Answer

Different things vibrate in different ways, making waves that are unique. This is why a bell sounds different from a drum or a guitar.

Question 5

Can animals hear better than us?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many animals can hear better than we do. For example, dogs can hear sounds that are too high-pitched for us to hear!

Question 6

What is an echo?

Accepted Answer

An echo is a sound that bounces back to you after hitting a surface, like a wall or a mountain. It's like hearing your voice come back to you.

Question 7

Why do our voices sound different to us in recordings?

Accepted Answer

When we hear our own voice, we hear it through both air and vibrations in our head. A recording doesn't have those head vibrations.

Question 8

How do musical instruments make sound?

Accepted Answer

Musical instruments make sound when something vibrates, like strings on a guitar or air in a trumpet. These vibrations create sound waves.

Question 9

Why do older people sometimes have trouble hearing?

Accepted Answer

As people get older, parts of their ears might not work as well. It can be harder for them to hear soft sounds or understand speech.

Question 10

How can sound help us feel different emotions?

Accepted Answer

Different sounds or music can make us feel happy, sad, excited, or calm. It's like how a sunny day can make you feel cheerful.

Question 11

Why is silence sometimes important?

Accepted Answer

Silence gives our ears a break and lets us relax. It can also help us focus better when we are working or trying to think.

Question 12

What is noise pollution?

Accepted Answer

Noise pollution is when there's too much loud sound around, and it can be annoying or harmful. It's like a busy city with nonstop honking and construction.

Question 13

Can we see sound?

Accepted Answer

We can't see sound with our eyes, but we can see how it affects things, like water vibrating or a speaker shaking.

Question 14

What happens if you hear a very loud sound suddenly?

Accepted Answer

Very loud sounds can hurt your eardrums and might make your ears ring. It's important to protect your ears from such loud noises.

Question 15

How do deaf people 'hear' things?

Accepted Answer

Deaf people use their other senses, like sight and touch, to understand the world. Some can feel vibrations or read lips to communicate.

Question 16

Why do thunder and lightning seem separate?

Accepted Answer

Lightning and thunder happen together, but light travels faster than sound. So, we see the lightning first and hear the thunder afterward.

Question 17

Why do some people cover their ears at loud events?

Accepted Answer

Covering ears helps protect them from loud sounds that might be harmful. It's like wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.

Question 18

How does sound travel through water?

Accepted Answer

Sound travels faster through water because the water particles are packed closer together than in air. This makes it easier for sound waves to move.

Question 19

Why do we have two ears?

Accepted Answer

Having two ears helps us know where sounds are coming from. It’s like having two eyes helps us see how far things are.

Question 20

What is a whisper?

Accepted Answer

A whisper is a very soft sound we make by gently blowing air without using our vocal cords much. It's like when you're trying to keep a secret!

The Science of Sound: How We Hear and How It Affects Us - 20 FAQs Explained Simply