Final answer:
The characteristic of sound known as pitch is the perception of the highness and lowness of a sound and is determined by the sound wave's frequency. Pitch corresponds with how humans and other species interpret the frequency of sound waves, where high-frequency sounds have higher pitch, and low-frequency sounds have lower pitch.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of sound that is defined as the highness and lowness of a sound is known as pitch. Pitch is directly related to the frequency of the sound wave, which is the number of waves passing a point in one second. High-frequency sounds are perceived as having a higher pitch, while low-frequency sounds have a lower pitch. The common unit of frequency is hertz (Hz). The perception of pitch varies among different species, with humans typically able to hear frequencies between 30 Hz and 20,000 Hz.
To address the options provided in the question:
- Pitch is the correct answer for the highness and lowness of a sound.
- The Doppler effect refers to the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the wave source.
- Sound level is often expressed in decibels (dB) and relates to the loudness or intensity of the sound.
- Sound wave amplitude affects the volume or loudness of the sound, not the pitch.