What does the frequency of a wave determine?

The frequency of a wave is fundamentally linked to how we perceive both sound and light. For sound, frequency determines the pitch, which is the perceived highness or lowness of a sound. Higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches, while lower frequencies relate to lower pitches. This relationship is critical in music and communication, as it affects how we interpret different sounds.

In the case of light, frequency determines color. Visible light is made up of a spectrum of colors, and each color corresponds to a different frequency. For instance, red light has a lower frequency compared to blue light, which has a higher frequency. This connection illustrates how frequencies of electromagnetic waves are crucial in defining the characteristics of light we observe.

The other options do not accurately reflect the impact of frequency. For instance, volume in sound is related to amplitude, not frequency, while speed for sound and light is determined by the medium through which they travel rather than their frequency alone. Hence, recognizing that frequency directly influences pitch in sound and color in light clarifies why this option is the most accurate.