High-frequency sounds reflect off the head while low-frequency sounds diffract around it

Evidence

Whether a sound is reflected or diffracted is determined by its wavelength and the size of the object encountered. The smaller the ratio between wavelength and object size, the greater the reflected sound energy. The wavelength of sound (l) is determined by the frequency of sound and the speed of sound, l =c/f, where c is the speed of sound and f is the frequency of sound in Hz. The speed of sound is roughly a constant, and is approximately 340 m/s. Thus, we observe that the wavelength of sound is inversely proportional to its frequency: Low-frequency sounds have long wavelengths and high-frequency sounds have short wavelengths. Thus, high-frequency sounds are more likely to reflect from objects whereas low-frequency sounds are more likely to diffract around objects. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1450

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces wavelength equation (c/f) and the reflect-versus-diffract mechanism that underlies head shadow.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1450
• XREF: connects to: Front sound sources can be misperceived as coming from behind; Low-frequency residual sound may contribute disproportionately to binaural loudness; Sound reaching the far ear must travel around the head (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Sound reaching the far ear must travel around the head #expands (0.90)
• Head shadow attenuates sound arriving at the far ear unless the source is centered #expands (0.85) — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1454