Glossary

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Mach number - the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound.

macula - part of the retina that is the central focusing spot. It is responsible for seeing details (such as reading) and also for color vision.

magnification - ratio of the size of an image (optical) to the size of an object.

meatus (auditory canal) - the canal leading from the outer ear flap to the eardrum. The meatus amplifies frequencies from 2000 to 5500 Hz by a factor of about 10.

mechanical resonance - a periodic force occurring at the same natural resonant frequency of an object. This may cause the object to vibrate more than it usually does.

mechanical waves - disturbances that require a medium for travel.

monochromatic light - light of one specific wavelength or colour (eg. red).

myopia - (nearsightedness) the inability of the eye to focus distant objects on the retina. The eyeball is too long or the lens is too converging which causes the image to form in front of the retina.

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