Can conversion of medium occur in sound?

In summary, when a vibrating object produces sound in air and encounters a solid object after some distance, the sound waves can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted depending on the nature of the material. The amount of each of these phenomena will vary based on the acoustic impedance of the medium and the frequency of the sound. The sound engineer can provide more information on the specific behavior in different materials.
  • #1
hasankamal007
42
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If vibrating object produces sound in air and there's a solid object in front of it after some distance, will those sound waves(which were propagating in air before) start propagating within that same solid object or reflected or absorbed or etc.
Please explain also.
Thanks.
 
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  • #2
hasankamal007 said:
If vibrating object produces sound in air and there's a solid object in front of it after some distance, will those sound waves(which were propagating in air before) start propagating within that same solid object or reflected or absorbed or etc.
Please explain also.
Thanks.
It depends on the nature of the material (don't ask me further - you need to discuss this with a sound engineer). Soundproof rooms use material which absorbs the sound. Other material may reflect some and transmit some.
 
  • #3
hasankamal007 said:
If vibrating object produces sound in air and there's a solid object in front of it after some distance, will those sound waves(which were propagating in air before) start propagating within that same solid object or reflected or absorbed or etc.
All these things will happen, in general. Part of the wave will be reflected, part will propagate in the solid, being attenuated in the process. The relative importance of these phenomena depends of the solid and the sound frequency.
A good parameter to look at is the acoustic impedance of the medium.
A large impedance mismatch at the interface will result in strong reflection.
The acoustic impedance of the medium is Z=d*v where d is density and v is the speed of sound in the medium.
 

1. What is conversion of medium in sound?

Conversion of medium in sound refers to the change in the properties of a medium through which sound travels. This change can include alterations in temperature, pressure, or density, among others. When sound travels through different mediums, it can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed, resulting in changes to its frequency, wavelength, or speed.

2. How does conversion of medium affect sound?

The conversion of medium can greatly impact the properties of sound. For example, when sound travels from air to water, its speed and wavelength change, resulting in a change in pitch. Additionally, different mediums can absorb or reflect different frequencies, which can affect the overall quality of the sound. The conversion of medium is an essential concept in understanding how sound travels and is perceived.

3. Can sound travel through all mediums?

No, sound cannot travel through all mediums. It requires a medium with particles that can vibrate, such as air, water, or solids. In space, where there is a vacuum, there are no particles for sound to travel through, so sound cannot propagate.

4. What are some examples of conversion of medium in sound?

Some common examples of conversion of medium in sound include echoes, where sound waves are reflected off of a surface, and Doppler effect, where the frequency of sound changes as it moves through different mediums. Other examples include sound traveling through different densities of air, such as in a wind tunnel, or through different mediums, such as from air to water.

5. Is conversion of medium reversible in sound?

In most cases, the conversion of medium in sound is reversible. This means that when sound travels from one medium to another, it will return to its original state when it travels back to the initial medium. For example, if sound travels from air to water, it will return to its original frequency and wavelength when it travels back to air. However, there are some exceptions, such as when sound is absorbed by a medium and cannot be fully reflected or transmitted back to its original medium.

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