These graphs show measurements of the density of air as different sound waves pass a single point. Which sound wave will most likely be perceived as the loudest?

Answer

A

Image with description A graph with a vertical axis labeled Density of Air and a horizontal axis labeled Time. A horizontal dashed line runs through the mid-height of the vertical axis. A repeating wave oscillates above and below the dashed line, staying very close to it with minimal deviation.

B

Image with description A graph with a vertical axis labeled Density of Air and a horizontal axis labeled Time. A horizontal dashed line runs through the mid-height of the vertical axis. A repeating wave oscillates above and below the dashed line, with its peaks and troughs extending about halfway toward the top and bottom boundaries of the vertical axis.

C

Image with description A graph with a vertical axis labeled Density of Air and a horizontal axis labeled Time. A horizontal dashed line runs through the mid-height of the vertical axis. A repeating wave oscillates above and below the dashed line, with its peaks and troughs extending a short distance away from it.

D

Image with description A graph with a vertical axis labeled Density of Air and a horizontal axis labeled Time. A horizontal dashed line runs through the mid-height of the vertical axis. A repeating wave oscillates above and below the dashed line, with its peaks reaching nearly to the top of the vertical axis and its troughs reaching nearly to the bottom horizontal axis.

Explanation

Loudness depends on the amplitude of the sound wave: greater changes in air density produce a louder sound. Graph C has the largest amplitude, with peaks and troughs extending nearly across the full vertical range. Therefore, sound wave C will most likely be perceived as the loudest.

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Pretest

These graphs show measurements of the density of air as different sound waves pass a single point. Which sound wave will most likely be perceived as the loudest?

Explanation

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