How does sound work?

Sound is a physical phenomenon that is created when an object vibrates, causing the air molecules around it to also vibrate. These vibrations form sound waves that travel through the air or other materials, such as water or solids.

The speed at which sound travels depends on the medium it's passing through. For example, sound travels faster through solids than it does through liquids or gases.

Our ears detect sound waves when they reach our eardrums and cause them to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted through tiny bones in our inner ear to the cochlea, which is filled with tiny hair cells that are stimulated by the vibrations. These hair cells convert the vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.

Sound is measured in units called decibels (dB), which indicate the intensity or loudness of the sound. Sounds that are too loud, such as those from loud music or machinery, can be harmful to our hearing and cause permanent damage over time.