How is amplitude related to sound?

The amplitude of a sound wave is directly related to how loud or soft the sound is perceived by our ears. In physics, amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position. For sound waves, a larger amplitude means that the air particles are displaced more significantly, resulting in a greater intensity of the sound. This greater intensity is interpreted by our auditory system as a louder sound. Conversely, a smaller amplitude corresponds to less energy in the sound wave, leading to a softer sound. Understanding amplitude in this context is crucial for grasping concepts related to sound intensity and loudness.

The other options relate to different properties of sound: frequency is tied to the pitch, pitch is determined by the frequency rather than amplitude, and timing refers to the duration of sound but not its loudness.