What primarily determines the pitch of a sound?

The pitch of a sound is primarily determined by its frequency. Frequency refers to the number of sound waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in hertz (Hz). Higher frequency sound waves result in a higher pitch, while lower frequency sound waves lead to a lower pitch.

This relationship exists because the human ear perceives variations in frequency as changes in pitch. For example, a sound wave with a frequency of 440 Hz is perceived as the musical note "A" above middle C, while a sound wave at 880 Hz will sound an octave higher, indicating a clear correlation between frequency and pitch.

While amplitude affects the perceived loudness of a sound, it does not influence its pitch. Wavelength, which is inversely related to frequency, can affect pitch indirectly but is not the primary determinant. Velocity of sound does play a role in how sound travels through different media but does not influence the pitch of the sound itself. Thus, frequency stands out as the key factor in determining the pitch of sound.