What characterizes aperiodic sounds?

Aperiodic sounds are characterized by the fact that they do not exhibit a regular repeating pattern or periodicity over time. This lack of periodicity means that aperiodic sounds can produce a continuous spectrum. In contrast to periodic sounds, which have defined frequencies and can create distinct musical notes, aperiodic sounds such as white noise or environmental noises lack this regularity. As a result, their frequency components are spread out across a range, rather than being concentrated around specific frequencies. This is what leads to the creation of a continuous spectrum, making option C the accurate choice.

Other options describe features that do not pertain to aperiodic sounds. For example, periodic sounds, which have consistent repeating cycles, inherently possess a fundamental frequency, while aperiodic sounds do not. Additionally, aperiodic sounds are not always perceived as music; they can often be nonspecific noises, further differentiating them from music, which typically involves structured rhythmic and melodic elements.