How does pitch relate to the frequency of sound?

Pitch is directly related to the frequency of sound; higher frequency sounds have a higher pitch and vice versa.

In more detail, pitch is a perceptual property of sound that allows us to distinguish between high and low sounds. It is determined by the frequency of the sound wave, which is the number of vibrations or cycles the wave completes per second. This is measured in Hertz (Hz). When the frequency of a sound wave increases, it causes the pitch that we hear to also increase. Conversely, when the frequency decreases, the pitch we perceive also decreases.

For example, a sound wave with a frequency of 1000 Hz will have a higher pitch than a sound wave with a frequency of 500 Hz. This is because the 1000 Hz wave is vibrating or cycling twice as fast as the 500 Hz wave, resulting in a sound that we perceive as being higher in pitch.

It's also important to note that the human ear doesn't hear all frequencies equally. We are most sensitive to frequencies between about 2,000 and 5,000 Hz, which is the range of frequencies that most human speech falls into. Sounds with frequencies above or below this range will seem quieter, even if they are actually the same volume.

In summary, pitch and frequency are intrinsically linked. The frequency of a sound wave determines its pitch, with higher frequencies resulting in higher pitches and lower frequencies resulting in lower pitches. This relationship is fundamental to our understanding of sound and how we perceive it.