Question

Derick plays the trombone in band class, and he can hit a perfect "A note," according to his teacher.


Derick can hit an "A note" by blowing very soft, or by blowing very hard. By changing how hard he blows into the trombone, Derick is changing how loud the note is. Which property of waves is he changing when he changes how loud the "A note" is?

Answer 1

The property of waves he is changing when he changes how loud the "A note" is amplitude.

• Derick already hits Note A.
• Note A is a result of the frequency.
• But increasing or decreasing frequency cannot change how loud a sound "sounds".

• Loudness is usually measured as intensity.
• Intensity is the extend up to which the source is vibrating.
• Derick is blowing hard.
• He is thereby increasing the amplitude of the wave.
• As amplitude increases the loudness also increases.