Understanding air particle velocity as cross product freq x disp

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between air particle velocity and particle displacement in the context of sound waves, specifically examining an equation presented in a book about microphones. Participants are trying to understand the notation and implications of the equation, as well as its connection to simple harmonic motion.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the use of the cross product in the equation, noting that it seems to involve scalars rather than vectors.
  • Another participant suggests that the equation resembles the standard equation for velocity in simple harmonic motion, implying that the notation may be incorrect.
  • A later reply seeks clarification on whether the maximum particle displacement can be interpreted as the amplitude in the context of the equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the notation used in the equation, with some suggesting it may be incorrect while others seek to clarify its meaning. No consensus is reached regarding the interpretation of the equation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential confusion arising from notation and the relationship between different physical quantities in the context of sound waves. There are unresolved questions about the definitions and implications of the terms used in the equation.

The_Lobster
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I'm reading a book on microphones and came across the following:

The relation between air particle velocity (u) and particle displacement (x) is given by:
[itex]u(t) = j\omega \times x(t)[/itex]

where [itex]\omega = 2\pi f[/itex] and [itex]x(t)[/itex] is the maximum particle displacement value.

and then it goes off talking about something else...

I feel stupid for asking this, but I don't get how the above equation works? For one, I thought cross products could only be be involving vectors? Aren't all the terms above scalars? Should I treat it as a dot product?

Any help in understanding the above, so I can see how the terms affect each other is greatly appreciated!
 
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I don't think it is a cross product. It looks like the standard equation for velocity of a particle moving in simple harmonic motion.

I don't know why the book used ##\times## as a multiplication sign here.
 
Thanks, AlephZero! Typical of me getting thrown off by poor notation...
 
AlephZero: Are you saying that that equation is pretty much: [itex]v = - A\omega \sin \omega t[/itex]? Does that mean I can consider the "maximum particle displacement" in the first equation, as the amplitude, A?
 

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