What term refers to how high or low a tone is perceived by the human ear?

The term that refers to how high or low a tone is perceived by the human ear is known as pitch. Pitch is directly related to the frequency of sound waves, which is measured in hertz (Hz). Higher frequencies are perceived as higher pitches and lower frequencies as lower pitches. This perception allows humans to distinguish between different musical notes and tones.

Frequency, while closely related to pitch, specifically describes the number of sound wave cycles that occur in one second and does not account for our perception of sound. Loudness refers to how intense or strong a sound is perceived, and it is more related to the amplitude of the sound waves rather than their frequency. Amplitude measures the height of the sound wave, indicating how much energy the wave possesses, which influences loudness but not pitch. Therefore, pitch is the most accurate term for the subjective perception of the height or depth of a sound.