The science of how sound behaves, especially when it travels through our everyday world, is called acoustics. Sound waves normally travel in straight lines directly outwards from their source, but they do not always travel in that way. An object standing in the path of a sound wave can affect its movement. When a sound wave hits a hard object, the sound reflects back towards the source in the form of an ECHO. When soft objects get in the way, they can ABSORB the sound and stop it from travelling any further. Scientists use sound reflection and absorption to investigate places that they cannot visit, such as the depths of oceans and the interior of the Earth.
The Hollywood Bowl is a famous, open-air amphitheatre in California, USA. An amphitheatre is a bowl-shaped place that reflects sound naturally and evenly into the landscape around it. The Hollywood Bowl was carved into the side of a mountain at Bolton Canyon in the 1920s and can seat 20,000 people.
Music must sound clear in an auditorium, no matter where people are sitting in the audience. It should sound the same whether the hall is full or nearly empty. The curved shapes in modern concert halls are designed to help distribute the sound evenly to every seat in the auditorium.
If you shout at a distant wall, you can hear your voice return as a reflected sound wave, or echo. When the reflected sound wave has to travel some distance, it takes time to return and you hear it separately from the original sound. Sound waves that reflect off nearer objects return almost instantly. Our brains blend these waves with the original sound and we hear no echo.
Like many other sea creatures, dolphins use sound to find their way around, locate their companions, and discover sources of food. The clicking sounds they make are reflected back from the seabed and objects around them and are picked up by the dolphins’ long, bony heads. Using echoes to find things is known as echolocation.
The depth of the ocean can be measured using SONAR (SOund Navigation And Ranging). A loudspeaker under the ship sends down a beam of high-frequency ultrasound. Echoes of the sound waves are detected by hydrophone (underwater microphone) as they bounce back up.
Hard objects reflect sounds, but soft materials absorb sounds and silence them. When sound waves reach a soft material, their energy is soaked up and they travel no further. Things that absorb sound can be useful for reducing noise. Trees are sometimes planted by motorways so that their leaves will reduce the sound of traffic. Walls can be padded with soft materials to stop sound from travelling through them.
Engineers test loudspeakers and audio equipment in specially designed laboratories called anechoic chambers. The walls and ceiling are covered by spikes of soft foam that absorb sound and stop any echoes and reverberations (very fast echoes). Sounds made inside an anechoic chamber sound very dull or “dead”, which is why the chambers are also called “dead rooms”.
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For instance, consider bringing in acoustic panels, free-standing sound-absorbing elements or even add curtains, rugs, plants and other porous, soft objects that will help absorb sound waves. As a general rule of thumb, the more porous materials you have, the fewer sound transfers will transpire.
What is the science behind acoustics? ›
Acoustics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids including topics such as vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound.
What does "acoustic" mean in slang? ›
Are they acoustic?" According to the Urban Dictionary, 'acoustic' is an intentional mispronunciation of 'autistic,' and it is frequently used in response to actions deemed "ridiculously stupid or ignorant" by the commenter.
What are the applications of acoustics? ›
Typical acoustic applications include acoustic ranging, acoustic location, SONAR, seismology, acoustic emission, vibration analysis, engine testing, process control, ocean acoustic tomography and bio-acoustics.
Do churches have good acoustics? ›
Stone walls and tall ceilings produce an echoey space that is somewhat like being inside an instrument's soundbox. The congregation can sink into an ambient cushion of sound, but they can't hear crisply enunciated words (like a priest's prayer) or distinguish polyphonic musical lines.
What is the formula for acoustic calculation? ›
Specific acoustic impedance Z0 = ρ × c = p / v in N·s/m3. Z0 = 400 N·s/m³. Then the "sound level" as a decibel value is exactly the same of the sound pressure level and the sound intensity level. Specific acoustic impedance of air at 20°C is Z0 = 413 N·s/m³.
What is the math behind acoustics? ›
Frequency is the number of cycles per unit time and represented by f. Wavelength is the distance traveled by wave in one complete cycle and represented by λ. λ = c f where c is the speed of sound. Wave vector is the measure of wave and represented by k.
What causes good acoustics? ›
Appropriate, low background noise is one of the most important acoustic criteria – especially in concert halls and theatres. In a room, the background noise may come from technical installations or ventilation systems. No echo or flutter echoes must occur for the acoustics to be good.
Who is the father of acoustics physics? ›
Image 1: Ernst Chladni (1756-1827), the 'father of acoustics'. Image from Wikimedia Commons. Ernst Chladni (1756-1827) is regarded by many historians as the 'father of acoustics' for his seminal experimental work on vibrations. He was also a well respected musician and inventor of musical instruments.
What does "pookie" mean? ›
Pookie is a common euphenism to describe something cute. It is often used as a pet name or as a term of endearment for one's significant other.
Use the adjective autistic to describe someone with the medical condition called autism. Autistic traits include being withdrawn, having difficulty with some forms of communication, and in some cases having extraordinary abilities in music or math. It's not yet known what causes someone to be autistic.
What does sigma mean in slang? ›
According to Know Your Meme, sigma is “referring to a supposed classification for men who are successful and popular, but also silent and rebellious.” Sigma males are “considered 'equal' to Alphas on the hierarchy but live outside of the hierarchy by choice,” reads the website.
What is the scientific study of sound called? ›
acoustics, the science concerned with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound. The term is derived from the Greek akoustos, meaning “heard.”
What is an example of acoustics in daily life? ›
For example, the noise of a car's engine would fall under environmental noise. What is musical acoustics? Musical acoustics is the study of intentional noise and how to create musical notes, including sound from instruments, and sounds generated from the human voice.
What is acoustics in physics? ›
What Is Acoustics? The branch of physics that is concerned with the study of sound is known as acoustics. We can define acoustics as, The science that deals with the study of sound and its production, transmission, and effects.
What causes poor acoustics? ›
Areas and surfaces that cause poor acoustics:
Hard surfaces, like glass walls, white boards, and large screens. High traffic areas with a lot of ambient noise.
How do you solve noise problems? ›
The Most Effective Noise Reduction Methods for Your Home
- Independent Acoustic Wall Linings. ...
- Resilient Bar Systems. ...
- Specialist Acoustic Building Boards. ...
- Direct to Wall Soundproofing Boards. ...
- Isolated Ceilings. ...
- Resilient Acoustic Flooring Products. ...
- Floating Floor Systems. ...
- Acoustic Ceiling Hangers.
Some simple ways to make a classroom quieter include the following:
- Place rugs or carpet in the room.
- Hang curtains or blinds in the windows.
- Hang soft materials such as felt or corkboard on the walls.
- Turn off noisy equipment when it is not in use.
- Replace noisy light fixtures.
In summary, acoustic treatment is the process of improving sound quality in a room by using products such as panels, diffusers, and bass traps. Proper placement of these products is crucial to achieve the desired sound quality.
