Final answer:
In music, the flow of patterns through time is known as rhythm, and it's represented by the arrangement of beats, creating a structured timing for musical sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
In music, the flow of patterns through time is called rhythm. Rhythm can be thought of as the "heartbeat" of music, providing structure and timing to the sounds we hear. It differs from a beat in that a beat is the basic unit of time in a piece of music, while rhythm is the pattern made by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed beats. Rhythm is integral to various art forms, and in music specifically, it works alongside elements like melody, harmony, and timbre to create a complete musical experience. Considerations of rhythm lead us to focus on the way music structures time and allow us to connect with the work both intellectually and emotionally.