What indicates a high pitch in sound?

A high pitch in sound is indicated by a shorter wavelength. In wave physics, the pitch of a sound is directly related to the frequency of the sound wave. Higher frequency sounds have shorter wavelengths, meaning that the crests of the waves are closer together. Conversely, lower frequency sounds have longer wavelengths, where the crests are further apart.

When the wavelength of a sound wave decreases, its frequency increases, which corresponds to a higher pitch. This is why we recognize sounds like a whistle as being higher in pitch, as opposed to the deeper sound of a drum, which has a longer wavelength and therefore a lower frequency.

Understanding this relationship helps clarify concepts related to sound and how we perceive different pitches in music and noise.