What does each pedal on a piano do and how do they affect the sound produced by the instrument?

The three pedals on a piano are the sustain pedal, the soft pedal, and the sostenuto pedal. The sustain pedal allows the notes to continue ringing even after the keys are released, creating a fuller sound. The soft pedal softens the sound by moving the hammers closer to the strings, producing a quieter tone. The sostenuto pedal sustains only the notes that are being played when it is pressed, allowing for specific notes to ring while others do not.