What is pitch and frequency?
Even though sound waves do not really have crests and troughs like water waves, they are described as though they do. Wavelengths are measured from the top of one wave crest to the next, or from one compression to another. Objects that vibrate very fast create short wavelengths. There is little space between compressions. Objects that vibrate slowly create long wavelengths. The space between compressions is longer. Frequency is the measurement of the number of crests within a certain amount of time. It is also measured by the speed at which the particles of air vibrate. This speed of vibration is referred to as Hertz (Hz). 1 Hertz = 1 vibration or compression per second. For example, if you were to pluck a guitar string it might vibrate 500 times per second. Its movement would cause the surrounding air particles to vibrate at the same frequency and so on. The sound waves frequency would be 500 Hz. Referring back to the way a vibrating object causes compressions and rarefactions of air
