How is the damping of sound (over distance) affected by air properties?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the acoustic effects of solar fields on sound propagation, specifically investigating how air properties, such as humidity, influence sound attenuation over distance. Participants explore the need for a formula that relates these variables, while also addressing the challenges in quantifying these effects through measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a formula that relates sound attenuation to humidity, distance, and frequency, expressing difficulty in finding existing resources.
  • Several participants question the term "sunfield," suggesting it may not be widely recognized and proposing alternative terms like "solar field."
  • There is a suggestion to create a look-up table based on collected data instead of fitting a mathematical formula, acknowledging the complexity of sound propagation losses.
  • Another participant provides links to resources that may help in understanding atmospheric effects on sound waves, indicating the complexity of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the terminology used or the best approach to quantify the acoustic effects. Multiple views on how to proceed with the analysis and the nature of the problem remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definition of "sunfield" and its implications for the discussion. The complexity of sound propagation and the specific conditions affecting it are acknowledged but not resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and researchers in acoustics, environmental science, and those studying the effects of atmospheric conditions on sound propagation.

daanisrael
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
I want to compare measurement results with theoretical values of a sound measurement. I'm looking for a formula that describes the relation between the humidity of the air, the frequency of the sound and the distance the sound travels.
Hey all,

For my physics major I need to quantify the acoustic effect of sunfields. I'm trying to do this by measuring the sound level before and after a sunfield, and after that by measuring a comparable situation, only without a sunfield. By comparing the results of the two measurements I'll find out what the acoustic effect of the sunfield is, but I have no way of verifying the results.

These are the results:
1670502388197.png

The Rion graphs are at the backside of the measurement setup, the BK is at the frontside. As you can see, there is clearly a difference in the sound level at the front- and backside of the situation (both with and without the sunfield). This is expected, but I'd like to calculate how much it specifically differs from the theoretical value. This way I can validate the accuracy of my measurement, and also tell a bit more about the hypothesis vs. the outcome.

I'd like a formula that describes the relation between the humidity of the air, the frequency of the sound, the distance between the source and reciever and the attenuation of the sound. I've looked everywhere on internet, even asked my teachers and accompanist, but with no succes. I know there has to be a formula out there, but I can't find one that applies to my situation.

Do any of you know such a formula? Could you maybe help me with it?

Thanks in advance,Daan Israël
 

Attachments

  • 1670502375811.png
    1670502375811.png
    23.9 KB · Views: 157
Physics news on Phys.org
@daanisrael hi and welcome to PF.

I haven't heard of "sunfield" and a Google search seemed only to yield commercial names. Can you post a suitable link to explain what it is?
Also, the losses in sound propagation are fairly complicated. If you want to correct for you particular conditions, why not use any data you have and make a look-up table, rather than trying to fit a mathematical formula to your data?
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters
What is a sunfield? I couldn't find that on the internet. In case you haven't seen it, this Wikipedia article provides a good starting point to guide your thinking.
 
sophiecentaur said:
@daanisrael hi and welcome to PF.

I haven't heard of "sunfield" and a Google search seemed only to yield commercial names. Can you post a suitable link to explain what it is?
Also, the losses in sound propagation are fairly complicated. If you want to correct for you particular conditions, why not use any data you have and make a look-up table, rather than trying to fit a mathematical formula to your data?
kuruman said:
What is a sunfield? I couldn't find that on the internet. In case you haven't seen it, this Wikipedia article provides a good starting point to guide your thinking.
Hey,

I'm sorry, I was under the impression that a sunfield was a known concept, but it's not. The correct name is a solarfield, excuse me for my ambiguity.
 
The translation of the Dutch "zonneveld" to English as "sun field", may be referring to a PV solar farm, or a solar power generation array?
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: daanisrael
So where are we now? What is the actual question?
 
sophiecentaur said:
So where are we now? What is the actual question?
Hey Sophie,

The question is as follows: is there a formula that describes the relation between the attenuation of sound, the distance from the source and the humidity of the air?

note: I've left out the frequency because that will be a problem for another day.

I can understand that it's vague, I hope it's clear this way.

Greetings,

Daan
 
daanisrael said:
The question is as follows: is there a formula that describes the relation between the attenuation of sound, the distance from the source and the humidity of the air?
Would https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328383226_ATMOSPHERIC_EFFECTS_ON_SOUND_WAVES_PROPAGATION be of any help?
 

Similar threads

Undergrad The world from a bat's perspective (sonic images)
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Undergrad How Can We Measure Properties of Distant Planets and Stars?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Undergrad Drag equation - relative flow velocity
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Undergrad How Does Acceleration Affect the Doppler Effect in Moving Sound Emitters?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does Changing Mass and Spring Force Affect Watch Oscillators?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Longitudinal Waves in Air (Experimentally determining the speed of sound)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Graduate Exactly how do pressure waves work at the molecular level?
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
5K
Undergrad Is the premise of the Michelson–Morley argument still valid?
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
Graduate Finding the acoustic point in a valley
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
How Does Air Pressure Affect Curveball Distance in Different Ballparks?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K