The amplitude of a sound wave corresponds to the __ of a sound.
location
loudness
hertz
pitch
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is loudness.
Explanation:
The amplitude of a sound wave refers to the maximum displacement of particles in the medium from their rest position as the sound wave passes through. In simpler terms, it’s how “big” or “strong” the wave is.
- Amplitude and Loudness:
Loudness is a perceptual quality related to how strong or intense a sound seems to a listener. The greater the amplitude of a sound wave, the more energy it carries, and the louder the sound is perceived. For example, when you turn up the volume on a speaker, you increase the amplitude of the sound waves it produces, making the sound louder. - Other options:
- Location: The amplitude does not determine where a sound comes from. Location is determined by the direction from which sound waves arrive and the timing differences between ears.
- Hertz (Frequency): Hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency, which is the number of wave cycles per second. Frequency determines the pitch of a sound, not loudness.
- Pitch: Pitch is how high or low a sound is perceived, and it depends on the frequency of the sound wave, not its amplitude.
Summary:
Amplitude affects the energy of the sound wave. More energy means a more forceful vibration in the air (or other medium), which our ears interpret as a louder sound. This is why amplitude is directly related to loudness, making loudness the correct choice.