Question

Two waves of the same pitch have amplitude in the ratio 1 : 3. What will be the ratio of their frequencies ?

• A. 3 : 1
• B. 1 : 3
• C. 2 : 1
• D. 1 : 1

Answer 1

The correct option is D 1 : 1

There are two main properties of a regular vibration - the amplitude and the frequency - which affect the way it sounds. Amplitude is the size of the vibration, and this determines how loud the sound is. Larger vibrations make a louder sound. Frequency is the speed of the vibration, and this determines the pitch of the sound. It is only useful or meaningful for musical sounds, where there is a strongly regular waveform.
Hence, if the pitch is the same for two waves then the frequency also remains the same. Therefore, the ratio of the frequencies is $1:1$.