Physics · Heat, sound and electricity
Sound Waves: Pitch and Loudness
Sound is a vibration that travels as a wave. The shape of the wave tells us how the sound will feel to our ears.
- Frequency
- 300 Hz
- Time period
- 3.33 ms
- Wavelength in air
- 1.14 m
Keep your volume low. The sound uses your device speaker.
Try this
- Raise the frequency. Does the note sound higher or lower?
- Increase the amplitude. What changes?
- Watch the wavelength as you change the frequency.
Key ideas
- Higher frequency → higher pitch.
- Larger amplitude → louder sound.
- Speed = frequency × wavelength (about 343 m/s in air at 20 °C).