What determines the period of a sound wave?

The period of a sound wave is primarily determined by the sound source. The period refers to the amount of time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave to pass a given point and is closely related to the frequency of the wave. Frequency is a characteristic of the sound source and is determined by the vibrations produced by that source.

For example, when a sound source, like a tuning fork, vibrates at a specific frequency, it creates sound waves with a corresponding period. This means that if the frequency increases, the period decreases, and vice versa. While the medium through which the sound travels can influence the speed of the sound and other wave properties, it does not affect the frequency or the period directly.

This understanding emphasizes that the intrinsic properties of the sound source dictate the sound's period, which is a fundamental concept in acoustics and wave theory.