Final answer:
Soft, harsh, and pitch relate to the physical characteristics of sound, specifically frequency (pitch), intensity (volume), and quality (timbre) in the study of physics. In speech, these terms are associated with how we perceive and use sound to communicate effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concepts of soft, harsh, pitch, volume, timbre, and rate of speech are all related to the study of sound in physics. Pitch refers to the perception of the frequency of a sound and affects how high or low a sound appears to us. A sound with a higher frequency has a higher pitch, such as the chirp of a bird, while a lower frequency sound, like the roar of a lion, has a lower pitch. Volume, or loudness, is the perception of the intensity of a sound.
It can be altered by changing the amplitude of the sound wave and its perception can be affected by the frequency of the sound. Timbre describes the quality or color of a sound and is determined by the combination of frequencies and intensities produced by different instruments, even if they play the same pitch at the same volume.
In the context of speech, volume refers to how loudly or softly one speaks and is used to ensure one is heard clearly or to produce various effects. Rate of speech is how quickly or slowly one talks, which can influence the dramatic effect or clarity of the communication. Together, these elements can be manipulated to convey different emotions, emphasize certain points, and engage with the audience effectively, making them critical aspects of effective communication.