Which physical property of a sound wave is represented by its height?

The correct answer pertains to the amplitude of a sound wave, which is directly related to its height. Amplitude refers to the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, which corresponds to the loudness of the sound perceived by the listener. A greater height indicates a higher amplitude, resulting in a louder sound, while a lower height indicates a lower amplitude and a quieter sound.

In the context of sound waves, the height of the wave is crucial in determining how we experience sound intensity. This fundamental aspect of sound can have significant effects on how sounds are perceived, making amplitude a vital property in acoustic analysis.

While pitch refers to how high or low a sound seems to a listener, and is determined by the frequency of the sound wave, it is not represented by the height of the wave. Frequency measures the number of wave cycles per second and is related to pitch rather than amplitude. Timbre, on the other hand, refers to the quality or color of a sound that allows us to distinguish between different sources, but it does not relate to the height or amplitude of the sound wave. Understanding these distinctions is essential in the study of sensation and perception related to sound.