What is the name of the vowel sound characterized as 'Ah'?

The vowel sound characterized as 'Ah' corresponds to the symbol 'æ', which represents a low front unrounded vowel in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). This sound is commonly heard in English words like "cat" and "bat," where the mouth is more open, and the tongue is positioned towards the front of the mouth. This open quality of the sound is what gives it that distinct 'Ah' characteristic, making it easily recognizable in various dialects of English.

The other options represent different vowel sounds that do not match the 'Ah' articulation. For instance, the sound represented by 'e' is a close-mid front unrounded vowel, as heard in "bait," while 'i' is a high front unrounded vowel, found in words like "seat." The 'ɛ' sound, which is a mid front unrounded vowel, occurs in words like "bed," but it does not achieve the same open quality associated with the 'Ah' sound. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for identifying vowel sounds and their characteristics in phonetic studies.