Power and Intensity for a Sound Wave

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of power and intensity in sound waves, particularly focusing on the equations that describe these properties. Participants explore the relationship between the area used in calculations and the behavior of sound waves as they propagate through a medium.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants examine the definitions of power and intensity, questioning how the area in the equations relates to the measurement of sound waves at different distances from the source. They discuss whether the area is fixed at the source or variable depending on the measurement location.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations being explored regarding the area in the equations for sound wave power and intensity. Some participants suggest that the area could be defined at the source, while others propose that it can vary depending on the measurement point. Guidance is offered regarding the implications of distance on maximum displacement and intensity.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the book or article referenced does not explicitly define the area, leading to confusion about its application in different contexts, such as spherical waves versus cylindrical models.

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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