What does a flat do to a note?

Question

raises he note by on half step
lowers the note by one half step
makes it a major cord
makes it a minor cord

Answer 1

A flat lowers the note by one half step. In musical notation, a flat sign (♭) before a note means that note should be played a semitone lower than written. This is the opposite of a sharp (♯), which raises the note by one half step. Flats do not directly relate to making a chord major or minor; that quality is determined by the specific combination of notes (intervals) within a chord.