Loudness is most closely related to which property of a sound wave?

Loudness is most closely related to which property of a sound wave?

• A. Frequency
• B. Amplitude
• C. Wavelength
• D. Duration

Answer: (B)

Loudness comes from the strength of the pressure changes in a sound wave—the amplitude. When the wave has a larger amplitude, the air is pushed more forcefully, creating bigger pressure fluctuations that our ears interpret as a louder sound. Frequency, wavelength, and duration influence other aspects: frequency sets pitch, wavelength relates to the spacing of wave peaks (depending on frequency and speed of sound), and duration is about how long the sound lasts rather than how intense it is. So amplitude is the property that best captures how loud a sound appears.

Loudness comes from the strength of the pressure changes in a sound wave—the amplitude. When the wave has a larger amplitude, the air is pushed more forcefully, creating bigger pressure fluctuations that our ears interpret as a louder sound. Frequency, wavelength, and duration influence other aspects: frequency sets pitch, wavelength relates to the spacing of wave peaks (depending on frequency and speed of sound), and duration is about how long the sound lasts rather than how intense it is. So amplitude is the property that best captures how loud a sound appears.