Final answer:
High pitch is produced when the vocal folds are tense and there is high air pressure. Tension increases vibration frequency, which raises the pitch, while air pressure from the lungs supports this effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question about the relationship between vocal fold tension, air pressure, and pitch can be answered as follows: High pitch in human vocalization is achieved when the vocal folds are tense, and there is high air pressure. Therefore, the correct answer is c) Tense; High.
This is because tighter vocal folds vibrate more rapidly, producing a higher frequency sound, which we perceive as a high pitch. The increase in air pressure from the lungs contributes to the greater force of vibration, thus aiding in producing a higher pitch.
When vocal folds open and close rhythmically, this creates a pressure buildup. As the air passes up and beyond the vocal cords, it leads to their vibration, and this vibration, with puffs of air, becomes the sound we hear.
The pitch of the voice changes as the muscles of the larynx either relax or tighten, impacting the tension on the vocal cords. Loudness is a factor of air flow and the resulting amplitude of the sound pressure wave.