Understanding Sound Wave Energy: Impact on Speed, Frequency, and Wavelength

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that sound wave energy primarily affects amplitude, while speed, frequency, and wavelength are determined by the medium through which the sound travels. In air, the speed of sound is approximately 1130 ft/s. The relationship between frequency and wavelength is defined by the equation: speed = frequency × wavelength. Additionally, energy distribution from a sound source is calculated based on the geometry of the environment, with adjustments for spherical radiation patterns.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sound wave properties, including amplitude, frequency, and wavelength
  • Familiarity with the speed of sound in different media
  • Knowledge of logarithmic scales, particularly in relation to decibels
  • Basic principles of wave propagation in mechanical and electromagnetic contexts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between frequency and wavelength in various media
  • Explore the concept of sound pressure level (SPL) and its logarithmic nature
  • Investigate energy distribution patterns in sound waves in different environments
  • Learn about the differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, acoustics engineers, audio technicians, and anyone interested in the principles of sound wave behavior and energy distribution.

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How does the amount of energy effect a wave? Does it affect the speed or the frequency or the wavelength?
 
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Please help me...
 
Mainly the amplitude
 
does also depnedss on the type of wave? mechnical or eletromagnetic.
 
Speed is determined by the medium the sound travels in, and for air 1130 ft/s is generally used as the speed.

Frequency and wavelength are related, knowing the speed you can find the one of these by dividing the speed by the other. For example, 20Hz has a wavelength of 56.5ft and vice versa, and 20KHz has a wavelength of 0.0565ft and so on.

Energy level would only affect amplitude. Sound would radiate from the source in a sphereical fashion, so your formulas would need to account for that and calculate by dividing the energy evenly over the area of the sphere. If you have a single plane involved like the ground, this is one-half space so one-half the sphere's area is used, if you have two planes like the ground and a wall you use one-quarter the sphere's area. And if you're inside where you have a floor and two walls you use one-eighth the sphere's area to find the energy distribution.

Remember also that when converting energy levels to sound pressure level (SPL) that the nature of the decibel is logarithmic so keep that in mind as well.

HTH,
Cliff
 
oh sound wave then it's mechnical only =)
 

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