Acoustics Notes

4.
ACOUSTICS & ULTRASONICS
It is the science of sound which deals with the process of generation, transmission and
reception of sound in a room or in a hall. Sound is a form of energy and is produced by every vibrating
body. The acoustic properties of building were studied by WC Sabine.
Sound is classified into music and noise. Musical sound produces pleasant sensation
to ear. They are produced by periodic waves. Noise produces disturbing sensation to ear. They are
produced by non periodic waves.
Characteristics of musical sound
1)What is pitch of sound ?

Pitch of a sound depends on the frequency of the sound. High pitch means higher frequency and
low pitch means lower frequency.
2)What is Intensity of sound?

Intensity of sound at any point is the amount of sound energy incident on unit area held
normal to the direction of propagation of sound in one second. i.e., It is the sound power on unit area.
Intensity of sound is proportional to the square of the amplitude of sound wave. Its basic unit is W/m 2
1
I = ρ0 vω2 A 2
2
Where o-is the mean density of the medium
v-is the wave velocity
- is the angular frequency of sound wave
A- is the displacement/ amplitude of sound
3)What is Threshold minimum intensity of sound?

It is the minimum intensity which a human being can hear and it is I0 = 10 −12 W⁄m2
4)What is Threshold pain intensity of sound?

It is the maximum intensity which a human ear can tolerate without sensation of pain. The threshold
pain intensity of sound is 10-12 times I 0 which is equal to 1 W⁄m2 . Thus our ear has a range of sensitivity
from I0 to 10-12 I0 .
(5)What is loudness of sound?.Write its unit.

Loudness of sound is the degree of sensation of sound. It depends on the intensity of sound and the
sensitivity of ear or microphone.
Loudness of sound is proportional to logarithm of intensity of sound.
The unit of Sound Intensity Level (SIL) in logarithmic scale is 'bel'. In order to define
'bel' or 'decibel (dB)', we take the ratio of sound intensity level with reference to I 0, the minimum
threshold intensity of sound. The actual average threshold of hearing above 1000 Hz is about 2.5 x 10 -12
W/m², which is about 4 decibels.
If is the intensity of the given sound, then the ratio of Sound Intensity Levels (SIL)in logarithmic scale is
defined as
L ∝ log10 I
L=log 10
( )
I
I0
in Bel
L=10 log 10
( )
I
I0
in dB
6)What is Reverberation & Reverberation Time
In an open space sound from the source reach the listener directly, in its original form. But in rooms,
halls and auditoriums, sound reach the listener directly from the source and also after reflection by the
wall, ceiling. floor and other objects present. Hence the listener continues to receive sound for some
more time. This persistence of sound after the source has ceased to produce.It is known as
Reverberation.
Reverberation time is defined as the time for the sound to die down by 60dB
from its original sound intensity level (sound level). This is defined so, because the loudest crescendo
of an orchestra is about 100dB while the back ground sound level of a typical room is about 40dB. The
reverberation time depends on a number of parameters like, intensity (frequency) of original sound,
dimensions of the room or auditorium, the reflecting surfaces present and so on
7)Write Sabines Formula.
Wallace Clement Sabine, deduced experimentally that the reverberation time is directly proportional to
the volume of the hall and inversely proportional to the total sound absorption in the hall.
If Volume of the hall (V) and Total sound absorption, A = ∑ Sα where S is area of different
surfaces and α is their absorption coefficients.
V
T =0 . 163
∑ αS
8) What is Absorption coefficient of sound ()?
The Absorption Coefficient of sound () is defined as the ratio of sound energy absorbed
by the surface to the sound energy incident on the surface. It is also known as acoustic absorption
coefficient. The product of surface area of sound absorbents and their absorption coefficients is known
as sound absorption. The reverberation time of an auditorium or room depends on its volume (V) and its
total sound absorption (A).
A = Σs
Sabine is the unit of sound absorption, both in SI units and FPS units. One square metre of 100% sound
absorbing material has a value of 1 metric sabine
α=
∑ Sα = S 1 α1 +S 2 α 2+S 3 α 3 . .. .. .. . .. .. . ..
coefficient , ∑S S 1+S 2+S 3 .. .. . .. ..
Average absorption
9)What are the factors affecting the acoustics of a building?

The factors affecting acoustics of buildings and their remedies are as follows:
1. Reverberation time:
If the reverberation time is very small, the sound intensity decreases very fast and makes the sound
appear dead. On the other hand, a large reverberation time causes mixing of different
syllables and hence causes confusion.
For good quality sound, optimum reverberation time is required
Remedies:
i) Heavy curtains with folds are used to reduce reverberation time by increasing absorption of
sound
ii) Floor is covered with carpets to absorb sound.
iii) Windows and openings are provided in the hall which can be opened or closed to control the
reverberation time.
iv) Walls and ceilings are covered with sound absorbing materials.
v) If the hall is filled to its maximum capacity of audience, reverberation time is less.
2. Loudness:
There should be adequate loudness in all parts of the hall.
Remedies:
i) Large sounding boards are used behind the speaker facing the audience.
ii) Loudspeakers are used to increase the loudness.
iii) Low ceilings help to reflect the sound towards the audience.
iv) Sound absorbing materials are used in those parts of the hall where sound intensity is large.
(3)Echo:
The reflection of sound from a distant reflecting surface is known as echo. If the echo reaches
the listener about 1/15th of a second after the direct sound, the listener hears two sounds instead
of one which causes confusion. Such echoes mush be eliminated in halls.
Remedy:
High ceilings and distant walls are covered with second absorbing materials.
(4)Echelon effect:
Succession of echoes produced by a set of regularly spaced reflecting surfaces like staircase
causes confusion in original sound. This effect is known as echelon effect.
Remedy:
The regularly spaced reflecting surfaces like stairs are covered with sound absorbing materials
like carpets.
(5)Focusing:
Concave and parabolic surfaces in the hall focus sound. This causes concentration of sound in
certain regions of the hall which is not desirable.
Remedies:
Curved surfaces are avoided, If there are curved surfaces, they are covered with sound
absorbing materials.
(6)Resonance:
Loose fitting window panels and some other objects resonate at some audible frequencies
creating more sound of these frequencies. This distorts the original sound.
Remedies:
Window panels are fixed properly, Vibrating objects are placed on sound absorbing materials.
(7)Noise:
Noise from different sources adversely affects the quality of sound in a hall. The noise can be
air borne, structure borne or inside noise.
a)Air borne noise: the external noise, for example of traffic, which enters the halls through
doors, windows and ventilators is known as external noise.
Remedies:
i) Openings for ventilators inside the hall are avoided.
ii) Doors and windows are provided with rubber covering on frames so that they shut without
any gaps.
iii) Double doors and windows having separate frames enclosing sound absorbing materials are
used.
b)Structure borne noise: Noise produced by activities like drilling and hammering or the vibrations of
heavy machinery is transmitted through the structure of the building. This is known as structure borne
noise.
Remedies:
i) Heavy machinery is mounted on sound absorbing materials like wood or rubber.
ii)Double walls are used with space between them.
c)Inside noise: It is the noise produced inside the hall by machinery, fans, air conditioners etc.
Remedies:
i)Sound absorbing materials and curtains are provided near the sources of noise.
ii)The sources of noise are mounted on sound absorbing materials.

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4.

ACOUSTICS & ULTRASONICS

Characteristics of musical sound

1)What is pitch of sound ?

2)What is Intensity of sound?

v-is the wave velocity

- is the angular frequency of sound wave

A- is the displacement/ amplitude of sound

3)What is Threshold minimum intensity of sound?

4)What is Threshold pain intensity of sound?

(5)What is loudness of sound?.Write its unit.

6)What is Reverberation & Reverberation Time

9)What are the factors affecting the acoustics of a building?

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