Question

1. when sound waves hit the eardrum, what happens next in the hearing process?

the eardrum amplifies the sound waves by 100 times
the eardrum vibrates and passes the vibrations to the tiny bones in the middle ear
the sound waves are converted directly into nerve signals
the sound waves travel directly to the brain

Explanation:

When sound waves hit the eardrum, the eardrum vibrates. These vibrations are then passed to the tiny bones (ossicles) in the middle ear. The eardrum does not amplify sound waves by 100 times. Sound waves are not converted directly into nerve signals at the eardrum; this conversion happens later in the cochlea. Sound waves do not travel directly to the brain; they go through a series of anatomical structures (eardrum, middle - ear bones, cochlea, etc.) before nerve signals are sent to the brain.

Answer:

The eardrum vibrates and passes the vibrations to the tiny bones in the middle ear.