INTRODUCTION TO

ACOUSTICS

DELA CRUZ, JENNIFER T.

DIMATULAC, TRIXIA MARIZ M.
ACOUSTICS
Architectural acoustics may be defined as the technology of designing spaces,
structures, and mechanical systems to meet hearing needs.

SOUNDS
A physical wave, or a mechanical vibration, or is simply a series of pressure
variations, in an elastic medium.

SPEED OF SOUND
Sound travels at different speeds, depending upon the medium.

WAVELENGTH
The wavelength of a sound is defined as distance between similar points on
successive waves, or the distance the sound travels in one cycle of vibration.

WAVE FORM
The wave form of sound wave describes, by means of a graphical representation,
the precise nature of a complete to and fro oscillation of the vibrating
particles in a sound field.
This is a continuous vibration that causes a series of compressions and
rarefactions to travel outward longitudinally from the source. Amplitude
information is carried by pressure, that is, greater amplitude means
greater compression and greater rarefaction.
Two single impulses of different magnitude (amplitude) are shown travelling
away from the source. Note how amplitude information is carried by difference
in pressure.
The positions of speech and wide-range music in the aural field of the human
ear are illustrated. Speech is in the nominally linear response area of the
ear, as is most music. Beyond these frequencies, the ear effectively
attenuates the incoming signal.
Schematic representations of a pure tone, a musical
note, and a more complex sound (such as speech, music,
or noise), showing the variation of sound pressure with
time and frequency.
Frequency ranges of common instruments. Wavelength is calculated on an assumed
propagation velocity of 344 m/s (1130 fps).
OCTAVE BANDS
Octave band includes a range of frequencies whose upper frequency limit is
twice that of its lower frequency limit.

THE CONCEPT OF SOUND MAGNITUDE

The magnitude of a sound signal is a relatively complex concept because there
are a number of different metrics in common use and because of the great range
of values involved in day-to-day acoustic situation.

SOUND PROPAGATION
It is a sequence of waves of pressure which propagates through compressible
media such as air or water. Sound can propagate through solids as well, but
there are additional modes of propagation. During their propagation, waves can
be reflected, refracted, or attenuated by the medium.
SOUND PRESSURE
The most elementary type of vibration is that which has a single frequency and
is called simple harmonic motion. It is form of vibration which characterizes a
“pure” tone. The form of this vibration and the corresponding form of the
pressure variation which is propagated outwardly in the surrounding medium as a
sound wave.
SOUND PRESSURE
The rate of emission of acoustical energy from most sources of sound, and the
corresponding pressures in their resulting sound fields, are very small.

SOUND PRESSURE
The sound intensity in a specified direction at a point in a sound field is
defined as the rate of flow of sound energy through a uit area at that point,
the unit area being perpendicular to the specified direction.