Final answer:
The Design Squad raised a 5-letter word indicated in hertz by shortening an 'a'. The answer is 'Sound'. When an 'a' is shortened, it changes the frequency of the sound produced, resulting in a different pitch.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Design Squad raised a 5-letter word indicated in hertz by shortening an a. The answer is a) Sound. When an a is shortened, it changes the frequency of the sound produced, resulting in a different pitch. For example, a short a is heard in words like 'cat' and 'hat', while a long a is heard in words like 'cake' and 'make'.