Acoustics

Assignment 2

Mishell Torres
00123903

1. a) What is the frequency range of the critical band for a frequency of 5kHz?
4.8 KHz – 5.2KHz
10% higher = 5.2 KHz
10% lower = 4.8 KHz

b) What is the frequency range of the critical band for a frequency of 300Hz?
270 Hz – 330 Hz
10 % higher = 330Hz
10% lower = 270 Hz

c) What are the Just Noticeable Difference’s in Hz for 2kHz?

For pure tone: 0.5 % - 10 Hz
For complex tone: 0.2 % - 4 Hz

2. Suppose there are two ensembles playing: one ensemble with classical guitars, one ensemble
with piano and string quartet. If they’re both outputting the same sound power, which group
will be perceived as louder and why?
The ensemble with piano and string quartet will be perceived louder because every instrument
produce different number of nerve cell impulses instead of an overlap that the first ensemble
will produce at the cochlea.

3. Please give the wavelengths for the following frequencies:

a) 2.5kHz wavelengths = (344m/s) / 2500Hz
0.1376m - 13.76 cm
b) 600Hz wavelengths = (344m/s) / 600Hz
0.573333m – 57.33cm
c) 6kHz wavelengths = (344m/s) / 6000Hz
0.057333m – 5.733 cm
d) 12kHz wavelengths = (344m/s) / 12000Hz
0.02866m – 2.866cm
If these frequencies are all steady sounds, which form of inter-aural localization will we use for
each frequency and why?
 2.5KHz = We use IID because our ears perceives louder the sound which wavelength exceed the
head’s diameter and enters normally to our ears.
600Hz = We use IPD because for low frequencies our ears has dificulties to recognize, this
localization works by the phase differences between the nerve impulses (the bending of the
stereocilia)
6000Hz = We use IID to recognize the relative loudness between the 2 ears. Being that 6KHz
belongs to the range that the wavelength is minor to 0.2m the head is an obstacle.
12000Hz = We use IID, it works well for frequencies above 1700 because the wavelength, in this
case 0.0286m

4. A book is exerting 30 Newton’s of force on a table. The book is 26cm long and 12cm wide.
What is the pressure in Pascal’s between the book and the table? (remember to convert to
meters)
Long : 26cm – 0.26m P=F/A
Wide : 12cm – 0.12m P = 30 N / 0.0312
Force : 30 N P = 961.53 Pa
A : 0.26 x 0.12 = 0.0312
5. Give the corresponding level in decibels for the following intensities:
a) The softest sound we can hear: I = 10-12W/m2
dB = 10 x log (10-12W/m2 / 10-12W/m2 )
dB = 0

b) Normal conversation level: I = 10-9W/m2

dB = 10 x log (10 -9W/m2 / 10-12W/m2 )
dB = 30

6. Give the corresponding intensities in W/m2 for the following decibel levels:
a) The loudness where our acoustic reflex is just triggered: 85dB
I = 10-12W/m2 x 108.5
I = 3.1623 x 10-4 W/m2
b) The threshold of pain: 120dB

I = 10-12W/m2 x 1012
I = 1 W/m2