Power and Intensity for a Sound Wave

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the equations for power and intensity of sound waves, specifically addressing the role of cross-sectional area (A) in these calculations. It is clarified that A refers to the area at the point of measurement, which can vary depending on the location relative to the sound source. The conversation highlights that while sound waves have power throughout their propagation, maximum displacement decreases with distance from the source, affecting intensity. The intensity of spherical waves follows an inverse-square law, indicating that intensity decreases as the distance from the source increases. Overall, the participants conclude that understanding the definitions and context of A is crucial for accurately applying the equations.
Gear300
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The power for a sound wave is give by P = 1/2*p*A*(w*s)^2*v...in which p is density (rho), A is cross-sectional area, w is angular frequency, s is maximum displacement (amplitude), and v is speed of propagation. The intensity is given by P/A...the intensity for a spherical sound wave is supposed to decrease over time (according to experience)...but I'm not seeing it in the equations. The power is proportional to the area over some region and the intensity is inversely proportional to the area over some region. Therefore...the Intensity at a given point shouldn't depend on A (the area)...that would make the intensity constant throughout the wave. Where am I wrong in the reasoning?

Oh wait...never mind...the source determines the power...I shift to a new question: the A (area) in the equations is the cross-sectional area immediately "touching" the source, right?
 
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No, A is the area at the place where power or intensity is being measured.
 
So in that case...if a drum is the source of a sound...then the area A would be the surface area of the oscillating surface of the drum, correct?
 
ಠ_ಠ ?
 
A is the area at wherever the sound power is being calculated or measured. It could be at the drum's surface, it could also be somewhere else.
 
Wait...how could it also be somewhere else? Isn't it where the surface of the source intercepts the medium? Is it an arbitrary value?
 
ಠ_x?...the area A I'm referring to is the one in the equation for sound wave power: P = 1/2*p*A*(w*s)^2*v
 
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Do sound waves have power only right at the source? Or do they also have power wherever they travel?
 
Redbelly98 said:
Do sound waves have power only right at the source? Or do they also have power wherever they travel?

They have power wherever they travel...but how does that fit in the equation if density, angular velocity, maximum displacement, and velocity are constant (it would only leave area, A, as variable)?
 
  • #10
Maximum displacement will be different, decreasing as you move farther from the source.

edit:
Another suggestion: is A defined in the book or article you got the equation from? Perhaps they are only concerned with power at the source, and that's all that you have to be concerned with ... even though we could also calculate/measure power at locations away from the source if we wish to.
 
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  • #11
Redbelly98 said:
Maximum displacement will be different, decreasing as you move farther from the source.

edit:
Another suggestion: is A defined in the book or article you got the equation from? Perhaps they are only concerned with power at the source, and that's all that you have to be concerned with ... even though we could also calculate/measure power at locations away from the source if we wish to.

oh...that makes sense...
 
  • #12
Does this mean that for spherical waves, the pressure and displacement graphs are damped?
In the book, A is not explicitly defined. They come up with a proof for the energy and power equations using a model, in which the area is taken at the source...thing is that in this model, the area stays constant (sound propagating through a cylinder). They then defined intensity for this model, which would also stay constant due to the constant area...then they generalized the situation for spherical waves with I = P(avg)/A. Looks like I wasn't understanding the concept well.
 
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  • #13
Gear300 said:
Does this mean that for spherical waves, the pressure and displacement graphs are damped?

Yes. Intensity will follow an inverse-square law with distance from the source.
Pressure and displacement amplitudes are proportional to square root of intensity, and hence are inversely proportional to distance from the source.

In the book, A is not explicitly defined. They come up with a proof for the energy and power equations using a model, in which the area is taken at the source...thing is that in this model, the area stays constant (sound propagating through a cylinder). They then defined intensity for this model, which would also stay constant due to the constant area...then they generalized the situation for spherical waves with I = P(avg)/A.

Okay.
"A" would be the surface area of a sphere, at a distance "r" from the source.
So A = 4 pi r2, giving an inverse-square relation for I=P/A
 
  • #14
Alright...thanks for clarifying things
 

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