- The following statements are made below about hearing phenomena of sound waves:
A. The loudness of a sound is inversely correlated with the amplitude of a sound wave.
B. The loudness of a sound is directly correlated with the amplitude of a sound wave.
C. The pitch of a sound is directly correlated with the frequency of the sound wave.
D. The pitch of a sound is inversely correlated with the frequency of the sound wave.
E. The pitch of the average male voice in conversation is lower than that of the average female voice.
F. The pitch of the average male voice in conversation is higher than that of the average female voice.
Choose the combination of all correct statements:
(1) A, C and E (2) B, D and F
(3) B, C and E (4) A, D and F
Understanding sound waves involves grasping how physical properties like amplitude and frequency correspond to our perception of loudness and pitch. These auditory attributes shape our everyday experiences of speech, music, and environmental sounds. Additionally, biological factors influence voice pitch differences between genders.
Loudness and Sound Wave Amplitude
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Loudness is directly correlated with the amplitude of a sound wave.
The amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of particles in the sound wave from their resting position. Larger amplitudes represent greater energy and higher pressure variations, which our auditory system interprets as louder sounds.tutorchase+3 -
This relationship is not linear but logarithmic; doubling amplitude does not mean doubling loudness. This is why loudness is measured in decibels (dB), a logarithmic scale where an increase of 10 dB roughly corresponds to a perceived doubling of loudness.
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Therefore, statement B (“The loudness of a sound is directly correlated with the amplitude of a sound wave.”) is correct.
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Statement A (“The loudness of a sound is inversely correlated with the amplitude of a sound wave.”) is incorrect.
Pitch and Sound Wave Frequency
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Pitch is directly correlated with the frequency of sound waves.
Frequency is the number of wave cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher frequencies produce higher pitch sounds, while lower frequencies produce lower pitch sounds.openstax+1 -
Thus, statement C (“The pitch of a sound is directly correlated with the frequency of the sound wave.”) is correct.
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Statement D (“The pitch of a sound is inversely correlated with the frequency.”) is incorrect.
Gender Differences in Voice Pitch
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The average male voice pitch in conversation is lower than that of the average female voice because of differences in vocal cord length and tension. Males generally have longer and thicker vocal cords, leading to lower fundamental frequencies (around 85–180 Hz), while females’ vocal cords vibrate faster (165–255 Hz), producing higher pitch voices.tutorchase+1
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Therefore, statement E (“The pitch of the average male voice in conversation is lower than that of the average female voice.”) is correct.
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Conversely, statement F (“The pitch of the average male voice in conversation is higher than that of the average female voice.”) is incorrect.
Summary of Correct Statements
Statement Content Correctness A Loudness inversely correlated with amplitude Incorrect B Loudness directly correlated with amplitude Correct C Pitch directly correlated with frequency Correct D Pitch inversely correlated with frequency Incorrect E Male voice pitch lower than female’s Correct F Male voice pitch higher than female’s Incorrect Final Correct Combination
The combination containing all correct statements is:
(3) B, C and E
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