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Sound Waves
Sound Waves
Sound Waves
Intensity
volume of sound
depends on energy (amplitude) of sound wave
measured in decibels (dB)
Noise
no definite pitch
no set pattern
Various Intensities of Sound
Threshold of hearing
Faintest sound most humans can hear
About 1 x 10-12 W/m2
Threshold of pain
Loudest sound most humans can tolerate
About 1 W/m2
Intensity of Sound Waves
The average intensity of a wave is the rate at
which the energy flows through a unit area, A,
oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel of
the wave
1 E
I
A t A
I
I dB 10 log 10 in decibels
1 dB = 1/10 bel
Io
12 watts 16 watts
Io is the threshold of hearing ., I o 10 10
m2 cm 2
Ex:
Solution:
3x10 8W / m 2
Intensity level in dB 10 log
1x10 12W / m 2 10
log 3 x
10 4
44.8dB
Intensity of a Point Source
Since the intensity varies as 1/r2, this is an
inverse square relationship
The average power is the same through
any spherical surface centered on the
source
To compare intensities at two locations,
the inverse square relationship can be
used I r 2
1
2
2
I2 r
1
Speed of Sound in a Liquid
In a liquid, the speed depends on the
liquid’s compressibility and inertia
B
v
B is the Bulk Modulus of the liquid
ρ is the mass density of the liquid
Speed of Sound in a Solid Rod
The speed depends on the rod’s compressibility
and inertial properties
Y
v
Y is the Young’s Modulus of the material
ρ is the mass density of the material
Speed of Sound in Air at a
Temperature, t
Forced Vibration
when one vibrating object
forces another object to
vibrate at the same frequency
results in a louder sound
because a greater surface area
is vibrating
used in guitars, pianos, etc.
ƒb ƒ2 ƒ1
Standing Waves in Air Columns
If one end of the air column is closed, a node
must exist at this end since the movement of
the air is restricted
If the end is open, the elements of the air
have complete freedom of movement and an
antinode exists
Resonance in an Air Column
Closed at One End
The closed end must be a node
The open end is an antinode
v
f nc n n ƒ1 n 1, 3, 5,
4L
There are no even multiples of the
fundamental harmonic
Tube Closed at One End
(Closed Tube)
Resonance in Air Column Open
at Both Ends
Assumptions:
• The air is stationary
• All speed measurements are made relative
to the stationary medium
Doppler Effect
As the source moves
toward the observer
(A), the wavelength
appears shorter and
the frequency
increases
As the source moves
away from the
observer (B), the
wavelength appears
longer and the
frequency appears to
be lower
Doppler Effect, General
Equation
Both the source and the observer could be moving
Stationary source of sound, vs=0
Stationary observer, vo = 0
Moving source of sound, vs = - if → (toward the observer)
= + if ← (away from the observer)
Examples
1. An ambulance travels down a highway at a speed of 33.5
m/s, its siren emitting sound at a frequency of 400 Hz.
What frequency is heard by a passenger in a car travelling
at 24.6 m/s in the opposite direction as the ambulance:
a) approach each other
b) pass and move away from each other?
(Take the speed of sound in air to be 345 m/s)