The larger the amplitude of a sound wave
A. the lower the pitch we hear
B. the louder the sound we hear
C. the quieter the sound we hear
D. the higher the pitch we hear
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B. the louder the sound we hear.
Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of particles in a medium (like air) due to the vibrations caused by sound waves. This displacement is directly related to the energy carried by the sound wave. In acoustics, a sound wave’s amplitude corresponds to how much the air particles are displaced during the wave’s oscillations.
When the amplitude of a sound wave increases, the displacement of air particles becomes larger. This results in a greater amount of energy being transmitted through the air, which is perceived as a louder sound. The relationship between amplitude and loudness is typically logarithmic, meaning that a small increase in amplitude can result in a noticeable increase in perceived loudness.
The pitch of the sound, on the other hand, is determined by the frequency of the wave, not its amplitude. Higher frequencies produce higher pitches, and lower frequencies produce lower pitches. Therefore, an increase in amplitude does not affect the pitch of the sound.
The loudness of sound is measured in decibels (dB), and the human ear perceives changes in loudness on a logarithmic scale. For example, a sound with an amplitude that is 10 times greater than another will be perceived as 20 dB louder. This principle explains why, when the amplitude of a sound wave increases, we hear a more intense sound.
In summary, while the amplitude of a sound wave does not influence the pitch, it directly affects the loudness, making the sound seem louder as the amplitude increases.