Introduction to Acoustics

Catalog description

This course introduces the student to sound as both a physical and psychological phenomenon. The course explains the nature of sound in terms of acoustic pressure and provides an overview of how humans receive and perceive sound. Sound waves are also introduced, starting with the development of the acoustic wave equation and its solution for plane and spherical waves with harmonic sources. The concepts of acoustic intensity and acoustic impedance are presented. The course also includes study of basic sound sources as well as the absorption, reflection, scattering and diffraction of sound by various physical structures.