Acceleration of Sound & Velocity vs. Acceleration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of sound, specifically addressing the acceleration of sound and the distinction between acceleration and velocity. Participants explore theoretical aspects, definitions, and implications of these concepts in the context of sound waves.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that sound is a wave and does not have acceleration, emphasizing that acceleration is defined as the time rate of change of velocity.
  • Others argue that while sound waves themselves propagate at a constant speed in a homogeneous medium, the particles of the medium can have variable velocities and thus experience acceleration.
  • One participant questions the relevance of measuring acceleration at the interface between different media, suggesting that the choice of interface width could lead to infinite acceleration, which may not be meaningful.
  • There is a suggestion to clarify what is meant by "the force of sound," with some participants proposing that it could relate to the force exerted by sound waves on surfaces.
  • Some participants reference the concept of sound pressure level as potentially relevant to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on whether sound can be said to have acceleration, with some maintaining that sound waves do not accelerate while others highlight the acceleration of the medium's particles. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these differing viewpoints.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the definitions and assumptions about sound waves and their properties, particularly concerning the context of acceleration and the forces involved. The discussion does not resolve these complexities.

mapa
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What is the acceleration of sound and what is the difference between acceleration and velocity?

I was researching online the acceleration of sound but I found no answer. I want to calculate
the force of sound using F=ma, but I could not figure out the acceleration of sound. Along with trying to solve this problem I began thinking the difference between acceleration and velocity. I know the v=m/s and a=m/s^2. But if could someone please expand on what acceleration is and the main difference between velocity and acceleration.
 
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Sound is a wave. It doesn't have an acceleration. Acceleration is the time rate of change of velocity.
 


Acceleration is the change of a velocity over an amount of time.
 


russ_watters said:
Sound is a wave. It doesn't have an acceleration. Acceleration is the time rate of change of velocity.

Hello and sorry to pull this question out of the depths of age. But I was reasearching a similar thing.

My issue with the quoted statement above is that, acceleration and velocity exist in sound especially considering common sounds are generated from a starting point.

Not to mention the notion of time is actually age which ='s change of velocity over age or in the case of sound, age and distance traveled.
 


russ_watters said:
Sound is a wave. It doesn't have an acceleration. Acceleration is the time rate of change of velocity.

It has to be true that you could find the velocity in one medium, then in the next medium and then measure the time taken to cross the interface. Applying 'the formula' would give you an answer and it would be in metres per second squared BUT would this number be of any consequence? How wide would you say that the interface was? Your answer for acceleration would depend entirely on this choice but, if you said the interface has zero width, then the acceleration would be INFINITE. What would be the point?

This is rather like many problems involving collisions of solid objects. They do change velocity during a collision but we would usually approach the problem in a way that didn't actually need to involve accelerations because the forces / distortions are not necessarily relevant to the answer. You can do it another way.
 


mapa said:
What is the acceleration of sound and what is the difference between acceleration and velocity?

I was researching online the acceleration of sound but I found no answer. I want to calculate
the force of sound using F=ma, but I could not figure out the acceleration of sound. Along with trying to solve this problem I began thinking the difference between acceleration and velocity. I know the v=m/s and a=m/s^2. But if could someone please expand on what acceleration is and the main difference between velocity and acceleration.

Maybe if you specify what do you mean by "the force of sound" it will be a little more clear.
The particles of the medium propagating a sound wave move with a variable velocity so they do have accelerations.
The sound wave itself propagates with constant speed in a homogenous medium so there is no acceleration associated.
Are you looking for the force exerted by a sound wave on a surface, maybe?
 


nasu said:
Maybe if you specify what do you mean by "the force of sound" it will be a little more clear.
The particles of the medium propagating a sound wave move with a variable velocity so they do have accelerations.
The sound wave itself propagates with constant speed in a homogenous medium so there is no acceleration associated.
Are you looking for the force exerted by a sound wave on a surface, maybe?

This guy is money right here. Nasu must be right when saying is he looking for "force exerted by a sound on a surface."
 


waves propagate from the origin, they do not accelerate.
Sound waves propagate at the speed of sound - in whatever medium involved.
 
  • #10


A good time to wait for a reaction from mapa, perhaps?
 

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