Why must the middle ear amplify sound waves? The inner ear is filled with a flui

Question

Why must the middle ear amplify sound waves?

The inner ear is filled with a fluid (endolymph) that would otherwise limit the detection of sound waves.

The size of the ear makes it difficult for sound waves to travel along.

Because sound must travel a long way from the outer to inner ear.

Because sound is harder to detect in air than in fluid.

The inner ear is filled with a fluid (endolymph) that would otherwise limit the detection of sound waves.

The size of the ear makes it difficult for sound waves to travel along.

Because sound must travel a long way from the outer to inner ear.

Because sound is harder to detect in air than in fluid.

Explanation / Answer

The middle ear must amplify the sound waves because :-

- from the middle ear the sound waves have to pass into the inner ear.

- The inner ear conducts sound through a fluid, instead of through air. This fluid has much higher inertia than air. So the fluid is harder to move.

- The small force felt at the eardrum is not strong enough to move this fluid. Before the sound passes into the inner ear the total pressure must be amplified.

- this job is done by small bones present in the middle ear. They are the malleus , the incus and the stapes.

-So the answer should be (a) the inner ear is filled with a fluid (endolymph) that would otherwise limit the detection of sound waves.

Hope you got the answer. Thanks.

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