Which quantity directly determines how long a sound lasts?

Which quantity directly determines how long a sound lasts?

• A. Duration
• B. Frequency
• C. Amplitude
• D. Timbre

Answer: (A)

Duration is the length of time a sound is present, from its start to its end. That time span directly determines how long the sound lasts. Frequency, which sets pitch, describes how fast the sound waves vibrate but not how long the sound persists. Amplitude relates to how loud the sound is at a given moment, and timbre describes the quality or color of the sound based on its harmonic content; neither forces the sound to continue for a particular length of time. In music and acoustics, the duration value tells you exactly how long to expect the note to continue.

Duration is the length of time a sound is present, from its start to its end. That time span directly determines how long the sound lasts. Frequency, which sets pitch, describes how fast the sound waves vibrate but not how long the sound persists. Amplitude relates to how loud the sound is at a given moment, and timbre describes the quality or color of the sound based on its harmonic content; neither forces the sound to continue for a particular length of time. In music and acoustics, the duration value tells you exactly how long to expect the note to continue.