Question

Pure tones are sounds:

A) that are not amplified.
B) with a single frequency.
C) that have a unique timbre.
D) with a pitch between 5000 and 10,000Hz.

Answer 1

Pure tones are sounds with a single frequency, which is what defines their pitch. Humans can distinguish sounds with a frequency difference as small as 0.3%, and characteristics such as timbre differentiate the sound quality of different instruments playing the same note.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pure tones are sounds with a single frequency. Unlike complex sounds that include multiple frequencies due to the presence of fundamental and overtones, pure tones consist of only one specific frequency, which determines the perceived pitch. The pitch of a sound, which is another term for its frequency, is what allows us to distinguish one sound from another when they have different frequencies.

For example, humans can typically perceive a difference between sounds if their frequencies differ by 0.3% or more, such as distinguishing between 500.0 Hz and 501.5 Hz even when they are not played simultaneously. The unique characteristics of sound that give musical instruments their distinctive sound quality, such as a trumpet versus a clarinet playing the same note, are referred to as timbre, involving a complex interplay of frequencies, amplitudes, and timing.