Journeys: Ears. Stop 4

Merry-go-round

Experiment! Stand where there is lots of room. Spin round five times and stop.

Is the room still spinning? Yes or no?

It spins! Your ear has three rings of liquid, the semicircular canals. You stopped, but the liquid still swirls and fools your brain.

Maybe you spun slowly, and the liquid in the rings had time to stop.

Now stand on one leg and shut your eyes. Easy or hard?

Well done, you have good balance! Most people find it harder with their eyes shut, because eyes help keep balance too.

Harder, right? Your ears and your eyes keep your balance together.

Ears do not only hear, they keep your balance too. That is why you wobble after a merry-go-round.

yes