Basic Formulas

Sound Velocity

v=fλ
where v is the speed of sound (in units of m/s), f
is its frequency (in units of hertz), and λ is its
wavelength (in units of meters).
 Sound velocity in gases

where γ = ratio of the specific heat at constant volume

Po = the steady pressure of the gas (N/m^2)
ρo = the steady or average density of the gas (kg/m^3)
 In dry air (experimental)

Velocity of sound in air for a range of about 20°

Celsius change in temperature.

where Tc = temperatere in degrees Celsius

Tf = is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit
For Tc > 20°C,

where Tk = temperature in Kelvins

Sound Pressure (P)

• the alternating component of the pressure

at the point in a sound field. Unit: N/m^2 or
Pascal (Pa)
Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
• is equal to 20 times the logarithm to the
base 10 of the ratio of the RMS sound
pressure to the reference sound pressure
(2 x 10^-5 N/m^2)

where: P = RMS sound pressure (N/m^2)

Po = reference sound pressure
= 2x10^-5 N/m^2 or Pascal (Pa)
= 0.0002 µbar
= 2.089 lb/ft^2
Sample Problem 1

The RMS pressure of a sound is 200 N/m^2.

What is the sound pressure level (SPL)?

A. 100 dB
B. 140 dB
C. 70 dB
D. 240 dB
Sample Problem 2

What is the sound pressure level in dB of a

sound whose intensity is 0.01 W/m^2?

A. 50 dB
B. 100 dB where Io = threshold intensety (W/m^2)
C. 150 dB =10^-12 W/m^2

D. 200 dB

Answer: B
Sound Intensity, I

In a specified direction, the sound energy flux

through unit area, normal to that direction is
called sound intensety.

where: ρ = density of air

v = velocity of sound in air
ρv = characteristic impedance of air to sound
= 410 rayls in air
Total intensity, IT

Total pressure, PT
Sound intensity coming from
(a) a point source (isotropic) in free space

(b) a source at ground level

Sound Intensity Level (IL)

where Io =threshold intensity (W/m^2)

= 10^-12 W/m^2
Sample Problem 1

What is the intensity of a sound whose RMS

pressure is 200 N/m^2?

A. 90 W/m^2
B. 101 W/m^2
C. 98 W/m^2
D. 88 W/m^2

Answer: C
Sample Problem 2

If three identical sounds are added what is

the increase in level in dB?

A. 10 dB
B. 20 dB
C. 5 dB
D. 15 dB

Answer: C
Sound power
the total sound energy radiated per unit time
of a source.

Sound Power Level (PWL)

is equal to 10 times the logarithm to the base 10
of the ratio of the sound power of the source to
the reference sound power(10^-12 W)

where: W = sound power in watts

Wo = reference sound power
= 10^-12 W
Relation of SPL and PWL
(a) for a sound produced in free space by an isotropic
source

(b) for a sound produced at ground level

Sample Problem 1

Determine the sound power level of 0.001

watts.

A. 180 dB
B. 100 dB
C. 90 dB
D. 120 dB

Answer: C
Sample Problem 2
Calculate the intensity and SPL of a sound at
a distance of 10 m from a uniformly radiating
of 1 watt power
A. 160 dB
B. 89 dB
C. 180 dB
D. 101 dB

Answer: B
Thanks!!