Lesson 3 Free Yourself with Science
Tuning Out: The Science of Noise-Cancellation
Which is the better environment for studying: a ____ place or a quiet place?
Rarely do people ____ to put up with a lot of noise because it can be unpleasant and distracting.
Fortunately, scientists have invented noise-cancelling technology, which is now being used across various fields to reduce unwanted ____.
What is the scientific principle ____ this achievement?
To understand this, ____ examine how sound travels.
The Principle of Sound Waves and Interference
Sound is produced through vibrations that occur from a sound source, ____ the strings of a guitar are played, for instance.
The vibrations of the sound source cause the air to vibrate and the ____ to travel as waves, similar to the ripples created in a lake when you throw a stone.
When these sound waves reach our ears, the brain ____ them as sound.
Just as different ripples in water might overlap if ____ throw two stones, sound waves can also interfere with each other when they meet.
There are two types of interference: constructive and ____.
Constructive interference occurs when the peaks of two waves overlap, resulting in a bigger wave and a ____ sound.
Destructive interference, on the other hand, occurs when a peak of one wave overlaps with a valley of another wave, so they cancel each other out and ____ a quieter sound, or no sound at all.
The Science Behind Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Destructive ____ is used in the noise-cancelling feature of headphones when we listen to music.
Inside the headphones are ____ and noise-cancelling circuitry.
The microphones pick up sounds from the outside, and the ____ analyzes them to produce opposite sound waves.
For example, if outside noise ____ a value of +1, the circuitry will generate an opposite noise of –1 and transmit it to the speakers.
This cancels out the unwanted sound even in noisy surroundings, so you can hear the ____ sound clearly without turning up the volume.
However, it is not easy to entirely eliminate external noise with this ____.
To achieve full noise cancellation, the circuitry must convert the noise into digital data and instantly transmit the ____ sound to the speakers as soon as the noise reaches the microphones.
Therefore, this noise-cancellation technology is effective for predictable sounds like those of car engines and subways that occur ____ or over a period of time.
However, it’s ____ less effective for inconsistent sounds such as those of people talking close to you.
Exploring the Technology and Its Applications
Noise-cancelling technology is not only used in music ____.
Other fields also take advantage of this technology, such as ____ offices at tourist attractions which are often very noisy.
Microphones are installed in ticket offices to detect external noise, and an opposite sound wave is generated and transmitted through a speaker, ____ the ticket agent to hear the customer’s voice clearly.
Another area in which this technology is used is drive-through fast-food restaurants and ____ shops.
They use ____ headsets to improve communication between employees and customers by eliminating vehicle noise.
These noise-cancelling headsets help drive-through employees ____ orders accurately.
The same technology is also used for cars, whose ____ systems generate waves to cancel out unpleasant sounds such as engine, wind, and road noise.
Thanks to noise-cancelling devices, it is possible for drivers to focus on driving without being disturbed by ____ noises.
As technology advances, many people expect it will solve various ____ issues caused by noise pollution.
A common source of ____ problems is noisy neighbors, as the noise they make can lead to conflict among residents.
Noise-cancellation technology can help address these problems by reducing ____ disturbances, allowing people to lead more peaceful and healthier lives.