The effect of sound in the human ear, known as auditory persistence or the duration of the auditory sensation, lasts for approximately [B] 1/10 second. During this time, the auditory nerves continue to transmit signals to the brain after the sound stimulus has stopped, allowing for the perception of sound even after it has ceased.

This phenomenon is crucial for understanding how humans perceive sound and process auditory information. Options [A] (1/5 second) and [C] (1/20 second) represent shorter durations that do not accurately reflect typical auditory persistence. Option [D] (1/2 second) exceeds the typical duration of auditory persistence, as sound effects are generally perceived for a shorter period in the absence of continuous stimulation.

Understanding auditory persistence helps in fields such as acoustics, psychology, and neurology, where the perception and processing of sound play critical roles in human behavior and communication.