Science - Year 3/4A Summer 2 Sound Sounds Spectacular Session 3 Plenary PowerPoint © Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.

How do we hear? Can you explain? Click on the ear to find out! But what happens to the sound waves (vibrations) when they reach your ear? Click on the ear to find out!

Why do you think each animal has a different type of ear? Ears come in lots of different shapes and sizes! Look at all these ears. Why do you think each animal has a different type of ear?

What do these animals have in common? They are all natural predators which means they hunt other animals for food. Their ears are adapted to their lifestyle. Can you think how? They are cup shaped to gather sound waves and funnel them into the ear canal They face forwards to best detect sounds that are in front of them. This is important for an animal that is stalking its prey They don’t stick up too high so they can’t be seen by their prey above the grass

What about these animals? How might their ears be adapted to their lifestyle? You might have thought of some of these things They are all herbivores so they don’t need to stalk their food They need to sense approaching danger (from people or predators) so their ears are large and cup shaped to be very sensitive to sound Their ears face out to the sides so they can hear something creeping up beside them They can usually twist their ears to face forwards and behind to hear sounds from all around – their survival will depend on good hearing!

Here are some more questions to think about Why is a human ear shaped like this? Which animal has the best hearing? ? How do fish hear? What is so special about bat’s hearing Perhaps you could do some research!