Question

What are the properties of sound?

Answer 1

• Loudness:

1. It is defined as the characteristic of a sound that enables us to distinguish a weak or feeble sound from a loud sound.
2. The loudness of a sound depends on its amplitude.
3. Higher the amplitude louder will be the sound and vice-versa.
4. When a drum is softly beaten, a weak sound is produced. However, when it is beaten strongly, a loud sound is produced.
5. The unit of the loudness of sound is the decibel (dB).

• Pitch:

1. The pitch is the characteristic of sound that enables us to distinguish between a flat sound and a shrill sound.
2. The higher the frequency of sound, the higher will be the pitch. High pitch adds shrillness to a sound.
3. The sound produced by a whistle, a bell, a flute, and a violin is high pitch sounds.

• Quality or Timbre:

1. The quality or timbre is the characteristic of sound that enables us to distinguish between two sounds that have the same pitch and amplitude.
2. For example in an orchestra, the sounds produced by some musical instruments may have the same pitch and loudness.