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How is sound pitch (or level) defined?

User Koger
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Answer: Sound pitch and sound level are two different characteristics of sound.

Sound Pitch:

  • Sound pitch refers to the perceived highness or lowness of a sound and is primarily related to the frequency of the sound wave.

  • Pitch is measured in Hertz (Hz), which is the unit of frequency. Higher-frequency sounds are perceived as higher in pitch, while lower-frequency sounds are perceived as lower in pitch.

  • For example, a high-pitched sound might have a frequency of 1000 Hz or more, while a low-pitched sound might have a frequency of 100 Hz or less.

  • Human hearing typically ranges from about 20 Hz (low-pitched sounds) to 20,000 Hz (high-pitched sounds), although this range can vary from person to person and decreases with age.

Sound Level (Loudness):

  • Sound level, often referred to as loudness, is a measure of the intensity or amplitude of a sound wave and is related to the perceived volume or strength of the sound.

  • Loudness is typically measured in decibels (dB), which is a logarithmic scale. The higher the dB value, the louder the sound.

  • Sound level takes into account the physical energy carried by the sound wave. It accounts for how intense or powerful the sound is, as perceived by the human ear.

  • A whisper might have a sound level of around 20-30 dB, while a rock concert or a jet engine at close range can produce sound levels exceeding 120 dB.

  • Sound level does not directly relate to pitch; two sounds with the same loudness level can have different pitches if their frequencies are different.

  • In summary, pitch is related to the frequency of a sound wave and determines whether a sound is perceived as high or low, while sound level (loudness) is related to the intensity or amplitude of the sound wave and determines how loud or soft a sound is perceived to be.
User Brunovianarezende
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