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pitch

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Pitch is the perceptual property of sound that allows it to be ordered on a scale from low to high. Pitch is associated with the frequency of a sound wave: high-frequency sounds have high pitch, and low-frequency sounds have low pitch.

The human ear can hear sounds with frequencies ranging from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz. However, the ability to hear high-frequency sounds decreases with age.

Pitch is also affected by the amplitude of a sound wave. Amplitude is the loudness of a sound. The louder a sound, the higher its perceived pitch.

How can the word be used?

The roof of the house had a steep pitch.

pitch

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • pitch (the height of a sound or musical note).
  • pitch (the angle at which a surface slopes).
  • pitch (a sticky, tar-like substance).
  • pitch (a marketing or sales presentation).
  • pitch (a contest or competition).

Verb:

  • pitch (to throw something).
  • pitch (to slope).
  • pitch (to give a marketing or sales presentation).
  • pitch (to compete or contend).

Etymology

  • Middle English: This meaning of pitch originated in Middle English with the word "picchen," meaning "to thrust in, fasten, settle."
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  • Proto-West Germanic: "Picchen" is derived from the Proto-West Germanic word "pikkijan," which meant "to pick, peck."
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  • Connection to sound: The association with sound comes from the idea of "picking" at a string or other vibrating object to alter its pitch.

Question

What instruments produce high-pitch sounds?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Define the concept of pitch in sound and explain how it is related to the frequency of a sound wave. Provide examples of high and low-pitched sounds in everyday life and discuss the significance of understanding pitch in fields like music and communication.

Answer:

Pitch in sound refers to how high or low a sound is perceived by our ears. It is closely linked to the frequency of a sound wave: higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches, and lower frequencies result in lower pitches. For instance, a higher-pitched sound corresponds to a higher number of sound wave cycles per second.

Examples of high-pitched sounds include a bird's chirp or the tinkling of a bell, while low-pitched sounds can be heard in a deep voice or the rumble of thunder.

Understanding pitch is critical in various domains. In music, pitch determines the melody and harmony of compositions. Musicians tune instruments to specific pitches, allowing them to play harmonious melodies together. Communication also relies on pitch; a higher pitch can convey excitement or urgency, while a lower pitch often signifies calmness or authority.

In science and technology, pitch plays a role in fields like acoustics and speech analysis. Engineers use pitch modulation to design clearer communication systems, and analysing pitch variations aids in understanding human speech patterns.