Let us compare two signals: one is a normal sinusoidal signal with single frequency 5khz with 1V amplitude (2V peak-to-peak). The other signal has a carrier frequency of 5khz and 2V peak-to-peak, but is an AM modulation signal with modulation waveform frequency (or message frequency) of 900hz, with some modulation index.
Now these two signals generated by function generators are each connected to speaker, generating sounds.
My question is, would both signals sound similar in pitch (frequency) to our ears? Or would modulated signal's pitch sound more like 900hz than 5khz?
Best Answer
Sounds are hard to describe in words, so the best thing to do is simply try it. You will hear the 5 kHz, but it will sortof "buzz" at 900 Hz.
Even if you don't have equipment that does AM modulation, just create a WAV file with this signal and play it thru the PC speakers. Hearing it yourself is really the only way to answer this question.