key term - Pitch

Definition

Pitch is the perceived frequency of a sound, determining how high or low it sounds. It is directly related to the frequency of the sound wave.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pitch is determined by the frequency of the sound wave; higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches.
2. The human ear can typically perceive frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz.
3. Pitch perception can be affected by factors like age and hearing ability, with older individuals often losing sensitivity to higher frequencies.
4. Musical notes have specific pitches that correspond to certain frequencies; for example, the A above middle C (A4) has a frequency of 440 Hz.
5. The speed of sound in a medium affects how quickly changes in pitch are perceived; different media (air, water, solids) have different speeds of sound.

Review Questions

Related terms

Frequency:

The number of oscillations or cycles per second of a wave, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Wavelength:

The distance between successive crests or troughs in a wave, inversely related to frequency.

Amplitude:

\text{The height or intensity of a wave, which determines its loudness but not its pitch.}