Sound is a form of energy that is produced by vibrations. When an object vibrates, it creates mechanical waves that travel through a medium, such as air, water, or solids. These waves consist of compressions and rarefactions of the medium, and they propagate outward in all directions.
Sound waves can be perceived by our ears, which detect the vibrations in the air and convert them into electrical signals that our brain interprets as sound. The characteristics of sound waves include frequency, which determines the pitch of the sound (high or low), and amplitude, which determines the volume or loudness of the sound.
A voice, on the other hand, refers specifically to the sounds produced by humans when they speak or sing. It is a unique characteristic of humans and some other animals. When a person speaks, air is expelled from the lungs and passes through the vocal cords in the larynx (voice box). The vocal cords vibrate, creating sound waves that resonate in the throat, mouth, and nasal cavity, ultimately producing the specific sounds and qualities of the person's voice.
The voice is influenced by various factors such as the size and shape of the vocal tract, the tension of the vocal cords, and the movements of the articulatory organs (such as the tongue, lips, and jaw) that shape the sounds into speech. Each individual's voice has distinct qualities, including pitch, tone, timbre, and resonance, which contribute to their unique vocal identity.