The pitch of a musical note is determined by the frequency of the sound wave that it produces. If two instruments have the same frequency, which of the following factors will most affect the difference in their pitches?
A
The shape of the instrument
B
The tension of the string
C
The size of the instrument
D
The material of the instrument
Verified Correct Answer: B.
Physical Principles & Numerical Solution
The frequency of a sound wave is proportional to the tension of the string. If two instruments have the same frequency, but one has a tighter string, then the instrument with the tighter string will have a higher pitch.
The other factors listed, such as the size of the instrument, the material of the instrument, and the shape of the instrument, will also affect the pitch of the instrument, but they will have a smaller effect than the tension of the string.
Source: WAEC / JAMB / NECO Classroom Archive (Record #68587)