What type of energy can people hear?

Noise is one of the most common forms of energy that humans can hear. We hear it in the form of sonar, ultrasonic music, speech, and environmental noises. Sound energy is created when an object vibrates and the energy is transferred in waves through air and water. The range of sounds that humans are able to hear is typically from 20 Hertz (Hz) to 20,000 Hz. People can best hear sounds between 1,000 Hz and 5,000 Hz, which is the range of human speech. Although hearing loss can reduce the frequencies which people can hear, most can still detect a wide range of frequencies.

What is Sound Energy?

Sound energy is a type of energy that comes from vibrations of an object and is transferred in waves through air and water. To be heard, sound energy must travel through a medium such as air, water, glass, or metal. All sounds, whether from an inanimate object or a living being, originate from vibrations that are produced. Pleasant and unpleasant sounds can both be generated from sound energy, depending on the source.

Examples of Sound Energy

There are many examples of sound energy that we hear every day. Music, conversations, and the environment around us are all types of sound energy that we encounter on a daily basis. Some of the more common examples include the pop of a balloon, the sound of a car engine starting, and the noise of a baby crying.

Types of Sound Energy

Sound energy is categorized into two types: acoustic sound energy, which originates from acoustic waves, and airborne sound energy, which are sound impulses in air. Acoustic sound energy is sound energy that is generated through direct contact between sound sources and objects, such as a guitar string or handclaps. Airborne sound energy is sound energy that is propagated through air, such us noise from a truck driving down the street.

The Microwave Auditory Effect

The microwave auditory effect, also known as the microwave hearing effect or the Frey Effect, is an interesting phenomenon in which humans are able to perceive audible clicks, or even speech, which is caused by pulsed or modulated radio frequencies. The frequencies pass directly into the human head without any need for a receiving external device. The range of audible frequencies is not yet known, but this phenomenon demonstrates the potential capabilities of sound energy.

Electromagnetic Energy and Its Relation to Sound Energy

Electromagnetic energy is energy that is generated through light or electromagnetic waves. Examples of electromagnetic energy include things like radio waves, gamma rays, x-rays, microwaves, and ultraviolet light. Electromagnetic energy and sound energy are both forms of energy, however, sound energy is not electromagnetic energy as sound needs a medium to travel through in order to be heard.

Conclusion

Sound energy is a type of energy that is generated from vibrations and is transferred in waves through air and water. Many everyday sounds, including music, conversations, and environmental noise, come from sound energy. The range of sound that humans are able to hear is typically from 20 Hertz (Hz) to 20,000 Hz. People are able to experience the microwave auditory effect, in which audible clicks are generated through pulsed or modulated radio frequencies. It is important to distinguish between sound energy and electromagnetic energy, as they are both forms of energy but only sound needs a medium to travel through in order to be heard.