The discussion centers on the relationship between sound frequency and penetration depth in lossy materials. As sound frequency increases, the wavelength decreases, resulting in reduced penetration depth. Specifically, at 100 Hz and 1 kHz, both frequencies experience similar attenuation factors when penetrating one wavelength into a material, but the 1 kHz wave covers this distance more quickly due to its shorter wavelength. The principles of attenuation and reflection for sound waves are analogous to those of electromagnetic waves, although the physical explanations may differ.
PREREQUISITESAcoustics researchers, audio engineers, and students studying wave physics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the effects of frequency on sound wave penetration and attenuation.
Born2bwire said:Simply because the wavelength of the sound wave decreases with increasing frequency and the attenuation of the wave is dependent upon the depth of penetration in terms of wavelengths. Given the same properties at 100 Hz and say 1 KHz, the waves will be attenuated by the same factor if both of them penetrate 1 wavelength into a lossy material. The difference though is that the 1 KHz will have to penetrate less distance to cover a single wavelength versus the 100 Hz.
Physically the reason is more complicated. I am not too sure about the physical explanations of attenuation and reflection when it comes to sound waves as I do electromagnetic waves but the physics are the same. I could attempt at an explanation but I'm sure that some of the other posters can do it far more competently.