What is the sequence of energy transformation that occurs in hearing?

The correct sequence of energy transformation in the process of hearing begins with acoustic energy, which is the sound waves that enter the ear. These sound waves cause the eardrum and the ossicles (tiny bones in the middle ear) to vibrate, leading to mechanical energy.

This mechanical energy is then transmitted to the fluid-filled cochlea in the inner ear, where it generates hydraulic energy as the vibrations cause fluid movement. As the fluid moves, it influences hair cells in the cochlea, resulting in the conversion of hydraulic energy into chemical energy through the release of neurotransmitters. Lastly, this chemical energy is transformed into electrical energy, as the neurotransmitters trigger electrical signals in the auditory nerve that convey sound information to the brain.

This sequence highlights how sound is transformed from one form of energy to another, ultimately allowing us to perceive and interpret sound. Other options do not accurately represent the correct order of these transformations, misplacing the types of energy or their transitions within the hearing process.