Which Statement Accurately Describes the Properties of Sound

Question

Which statement accurately describes the properties of sound?  
A) The frequency of a sound determines the loudness.
B) The amplitude of a sound determines its pitch.
C) The amplitude of a sound is the number of waves per second.
D) A soft sound has a greater amplitude than a loud sound.
E) A high note and a low note with the same amplitude are equally loud.

Accepted Answer

The amplitude of a sound wave is related to its loudness; a higher amplitude means a louder sound. Therefore, if a high note and a low note have the same amplitude, they will be perceived as equally loud. The frequency of a sound determines its pitch, not its loudness. The amplitude of a sound does not determine its pitch nor is it the number of waves per second—that's the frequency. A loud sound has a greater amplitude than a soft sound, not the other way around.