characteristics of sound

• pitch - lowness or highness of sound
• frequency of the sound waves - determines the pitch of the sound
• humans can hear pitches corresponding to the range of frequencies from 20 hertz to 20000 hertz
• infrasound - sound waves below 20 hz
• ultrasound - soundwaves above 20,000 hz
• the intensity of the sound waves refers to a quantifiable, physical characteristic of a sound wave is commonly measured in decibel(dB)
• the softest sounds humans can hear are at a level of 0 dB, which is the threshold of hearing
• quality - gives it distinguishable features. it depends on the relative intensities of different frequencies of sound waves
• timbre/tone quality - quality of sound
• tone quality or timbre - enables you to differentiate between the sound of two instruments
• the loudness or volume of a sounf is determined by the intensity of the sound waves
• 120 dB - threshold of pain