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What is the difference between loudness and pitch of sound?

Loudness and pitch are two distinct characteristics of sound that are associated with the physical properties of sound waves.

Loudness:

Loudness, also known as sound intensity or amplitude, refers to the strength or power of a sound. It is determined by the amplitude of the sound wave. A higher amplitude sound wave corresponds to a louder sound, while a lower amplitude sound wave corresponds to a softer sound. The unit for measuring loudness is decibel (dB). The human ear perceives a 10 dB increase in sound intensity as a doubling of loudness.

Pitch:

Pitch, on the other hand, is the perception of how high or low a sound is. It is primarily determined by the frequency of the sound wave. A higher frequency sound wave corresponds to a higher pitch, while a lower frequency sound wave corresponds to a lower pitch. Pitch is measured in hertz (Hz). Each note in music corresponds to a specific pitch or frequency.

In simple terms, loudness is related to the volume or strength of a sound, whereas pitch is related to the highness or lowness of a sound. Both loudness and pitch are important factors in human perception and contribute to our overall experience of sound.

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