How can you tell if the volume of a sound is quiet?

The volume of a sound is determined by its amplitude. Amplitude refers to the height of the sound wave; a larger amplitude means a louder sound, while a smaller amplitude corresponds to a quieter sound. When the amplitude is smaller, it means that the sound wave has less energy and intensity, resulting in a lower volume that we perceive as quiet. Therefore, understanding the relationship between amplitude and sound intensity is crucial in identifying how volume levels are determined.

In contrast, a bigger amplitude generally indicates a louder sound, while characteristics like wavelength and peak height are not directly indicative of volume in the same way amplitude is. Wavelength relates to the frequency of the sound and how it is perceived in terms of pitch rather than loudness.