3D Acoustical Wave Eqn: Closed Soln in Rectangle Coordinates

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a closed solution to the three-dimensional acoustical wave equation in rectangular coordinates, specifically for a wave propagating along the x-axis. Participants explore the necessary boundary conditions and the implications for the solution, considering the geometry of a rectangular tube and the nature of the wave propagation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a closed solution to the wave equation, noting the wave propagates from the origin to a point L, with amplitude constrained by dimensions A and B.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of specifying boundary conditions, stating that for longitudinal waves, the pressure gradient at the walls must be zero to prevent particle flow.
  • There is a suggestion that the solution may be expressed as a product of functions dependent on x, y, or z, with no boundary condition for x if the wave is propagating.
  • A later reply mentions that if the waveguide length is fixed, it behaves as a resonator, implying boundary conditions also apply for the x-direction, particularly at the open end where no pressure change occurs.
  • One participant reiterates the need for a real wave vector for propagation along the x-axis, clarifying that this refers to a non-complex vector.
  • Another participant suggests writing the general solution that includes all possible waves and imposing boundary conditions to determine specific values for unknowns, which would yield the wavenumbers of allowable waves in the guide.
  • There is a recommendation to transform the wave equation into the frequency domain for easier handling, leading to a different form of the equation that incorporates boundary conditions before transforming back to the time domain.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the necessity of boundary conditions for solving the wave equation, but there are multiple competing views on the specifics of these conditions and their implications for the solution. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact closed solution and the appropriate boundary conditions.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for precise definitions of boundary conditions and the dependence of solutions on the assumptions made about the waveguide's geometry and properties.

Watts
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I am trying to find a closed solution to the three dimensional acoustical wave equation in rectangle coordinates \[<br /> \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial x^2 }} + \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial y^2 }} + \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial z^2 }} = \frac{1}{{c^2 }} \cdot \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial t^2 }}<br /> \]<br />. The wave is propagating along the x axis. I have a generic solution but I don’t have a closed solution subject to the required boundary conditions I need. I am assuming the wave begins propagation at the origin and travels to the end point of L and the amplitude is restricted to the width and height of A and B. I am assuming it is propagating in a rectangular tube. The variable p is the acoustic pressure and c is the velocity of the wave. If anybody could help I would appreciate it.
 

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you need to specify carefully what is the boundary conditions to find out what is a possible solution of the wave equation. The boundary condition for the logitudinal (sound) waves is that the pressure gradient at the wall is zero. Non zero pressure gradient means non zero flow of particles (displacement), but there cannot be any particle flow from or into the wall.
for the rectangular waveguide the solution of the wave equation may be assumed as a product of the solutions which depend only on x, y, or z only. So you may find the boundary conditions for y and z axis , and there is no boundary condition for x. But if you want a propagating wave then the wave along x should have a real wave vector.
 
shyboy said:
you need to specify carefully what is the boundary conditions to find out what is a possible solution of the wave equation. The boundary condition for the logitudinal (sound) waves is that the pressure gradient at the wall is zero. Non zero pressure gradient means non zero flow of particles (displacement), but there cannot be any particle flow from or into the wall.
I am assuming the walls are rigid except for the end of the tube that is at L.
 
shyboy said:
But if you want a propagating wave then the wave along x should have a real wave vector.

I am assuming the wave is propagating along x. By saying a real wave vector I think you mean a non complex vector.
 
if you fix the waveguide length, then you have a resonator and boundary conditions for x, too. The boundary conditions for an open end is that there is no pressure change at it.
 
Watts said:
I am trying to find a closed solution to the three dimensional acoustical wave equation in rectangle coordinates \[<br /> \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial x^2 }} + \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial y^2 }} + \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial z^2 }} = \frac{1}{{c^2 }} \cdot \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial t^2 }}<br /> \]<br />. The wave is propagating along the x axis. I have a generic solution but I don’t have a closed solution subject to the required boundary conditions I need. I am assuming the wave begins propagation at the origin and travels to the end point of L and the amplitude is restricted to the width and height of A and B. I am assuming it is propagating in a rectangular tube. The variable p is the acoustic pressure and c is the velocity of the wave. If anybody could help I would appreciate it.

You have to write the general solution (which include all possible waves)
and then impose boundary conditions on that. When you do that, some
of the unknowns in the general solution will take on specific values, and
these specific values will give you the wavenumbers of the allowable waves
in the guide. It will also tell you everything about which wavelengths can
fit into the guide and which ones can't (dispersion relationship).

The general solution will be an infinite summation of Fourier modes in x, y and z
where each individual mode satifys the boundary conditions (and so the infinite sum does as well).

I leave the details to you!

Good luck.

Edit: Transform the wave equation into the frequency domain and solve
it there. It's much easier than doing it in the time domain. In the frequency
domain, the equation becomes

\[<br /> \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial x^2 }} + \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial y^2 }} + \frac{{\partial ^2 p}}{{\partial z^2 }} = k^2 \cdot p<br /> \]<br />.

With this solution in hand (with the bouandary conditions already imposed)
you transform it back into the time domain in the usual Fourier way.
 
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