- #1
klimatos
- 411
- 36
Postulate a parcel of air that is transmitting sound waves. Can that parcel ever be considered to be in a state of equilibrium? I maintain that it cannot. How say you?
Studiot said:What is your definition of equilibrium?
Match this against the situation and post your answer.
Kinetic gas theory says a gas is in a state of equilibrium when its entropy has been maximized.
Simon Bridge said:If the intention is to start a conversation, as in social media, then isn't it more polite to kick things off yourself?
Because I'm an idiot?klimatos said:I agree. Point taken. But why wait more than two years to bring this to my attention?
Simon Bridge said:Because I'm an idiot?
I only just noticed and didn't check the date stamp - it happens :)
Sound waves are a type of mechanical wave that travel through a medium, such as air or water, by causing particles in the medium to vibrate. Equilibrium, on the other hand, refers to a state where there is no net force or motion in a system. In other words, sound waves are a form of energy that can exist in equilibrium systems, but they are not the same as equilibrium itself.
Sound waves propagate through a medium by causing particles in the medium to vibrate back and forth in the direction of the wave's motion. As the particles vibrate, they transfer energy to neighboring particles, creating a chain reaction that allows the wave to travel through the medium.
The speed of sound waves is influenced by the properties of the medium through which they travel. In general, sound waves travel faster through denser materials, such as solids, and slower through less dense materials, such as gases. Temperature can also affect the speed of sound waves, with higher temperatures typically resulting in faster sound waves.
The amplitude of a sound wave is directly related to its intensity, or loudness. Intensity is a measure of the amount of energy that a sound wave carries per unit of area, and it is directly proportional to the square of the sound wave's amplitude. This means that as the amplitude of a sound wave increases, its intensity also increases.
Frequency and wavelength are two different properties of sound waves. Frequency refers to the number of complete cycles or vibrations that a sound wave makes in one second, and it is measured in Hertz (Hz). Wavelength, on the other hand, refers to the distance between two consecutive points on a sound wave that are in phase, or vibrating in the same direction at the same time. It is typically measured in meters (m).