Which property of a sound wave is described by its height?

The property of a sound wave that is described by its height is amplitude. Amplitude refers to the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of equilibrium. In the context of sound waves, greater amplitude corresponds to louder sounds, while smaller amplitude results in quieter sounds. This is because a higher amplitude results in more energy being transmitted through the medium, leading to a more intense sound perception.

For instance, if you imagine two sound waves, one with a tall peak (high amplitude) and another with a shorter peak (low amplitude), the wave with the taller peak would be perceived as louder by our ears. Therefore, amplitude is fundamentally linked to how we experience the volume of sound. This relationship is distinct from the other options, which pertain to different characteristics of sound.