Sound whose frequency is audible to the average human.
Sound measurements
Characteristic
Symbols
Sound pressure
p, SPL, LPA
Particle velocity
v, SVL
Particle displacement
δ
Sound intensity
I, SIL
Sound power
P, SWL, LWA
Sound energy
W
Sound energy density
w
Sound exposure
E, SEL
Acoustic impedance
Z
Audio frequency
AF
Transmission loss
TL
v
t
e
An audio frequency or audible frequency (AF) is a periodic vibration whose frequency is audible to the average human. The SI unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz). It is the property of sound that most determines pitch.[1]
The generally accepted standard hearing range for humans is 20 to 20,000 Hz.[2][3][4] In air at atmospheric pressure, these represent sound waves with wavelengths of 17 metres (56 ft) to 1.7 centimetres (0.67 in). Frequencies below 20 Hz are generally felt rather than heard, assuming the amplitude of the vibration is great enough. Sound frequencies above 20 kHz are called ultrasonic.
Sound propagates as mechanical vibration waves of pressure and displacement, in air or other substances.[5] In general, frequency components of a sound determine its "color", its timbre. When speaking about the frequency (in singular) of a sound, it means the property that most determines its pitch.[6] Higher pitches have higher frequency, and lower pitches are lower frequency.
The frequencies an ear can hear are limited to a specific range of frequencies. The audible frequency range for humans is typically given as being between about 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), though the high frequency limit usually reduces with age. Other species have different hearing ranges. For example, some dog breeds can perceive vibrations up to 60,000 Hz.[7]
In many media, such as air, the speed of sound is approximately independent of frequency, so the wavelength of the sound waves (distance between repetitions) is approximately inversely proportional to frequency.
^Pilhofer, Michael (2007). Music Theory for Dummies. For Dummies. p. 97. ISBN 9780470167946.
^"Hyperphysics". Retrieved 19 September 2014.
^Heffner, Henry; Heffner, Rickye (January 2007). "Hearing Ranges of Laboratory Animals". Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. 46 (1): 20–2. PMID 17203911. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
^Rosen, Stuart (2011). Signals and Systems for Speech and Hearing (2nd ed.). BRILL. p. 163. For auditory signals and human listeners, the accepted range is 20Hz to 20kHz, the limits of human hearing
^"Definition of SOUND". Retrieved 3 October 2016.
^Pilhofer, Michael (2007). Music Theory for Dummies. For Dummies. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-470-16794-6.
^Condon, Tim (2003). Elert, Glenn (ed.). "Frequency range of dog hearing". The Physics Factbook. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
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