What sound frequencies can pass through a hole in a wall?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transmission of sound frequencies through a hole in a wall, focusing on the effects of hole diameter and length on sound propagation. Participants explore theoretical and practical aspects of sound transmission, including the impact of different materials and dimensions on frequency filtering. The scope includes both conceptual reasoning and technical analysis related to acoustics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the diameter and length of the hole will affect which frequencies are transmitted, proposing a potential rule of thumb related to the wavelength of sound.
  • Another participant argues that there will not be a single frequency that passes through the hole, but rather a harmonic comb, indicating a complex transfer function for the audio spectrum.
  • Concerns are raised about the importance of the ratio of length to diameter of the hole, with suggestions that it may be better described as a short organ pipe or an orifice plate.
  • Some participants discuss the potential for nonlinearity in the behavior of the orifice at higher amplitudes of sound waves.
  • One participant emphasizes that energy radiated from a point source will be attenuated by the aperture and subsequently by the inverse square law, introducing mathematical relationships related to the hole's radius and distance from the source.
  • There is mention of specific scenarios, such as a 5mm diameter and 20mm length hole, and how these dimensions relate to sound transmission across different frequencies.
  • Another participant notes that sound waves are longitudinal and that their behavior is influenced by boundary conditions imposed by the aperture, suggesting that this understanding is crucial for analyzing sound transmission.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the behavior of sound frequencies passing through the hole, with no consensus reached on specific outcomes or formulas. The discussion remains unresolved, with various hypotheses and models presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in existing knowledge and the complexity of sound transmission through apertures, including factors such as diffraction, impedance mismatch, and the effects of different materials.

  • #31
S P said:
I am not a troll. The task I am solving sounds exactly like that
No. Not at all. Your basic problem is almost universal for building design.

Thing is, you would be far better off doing a Google search to find more precisely what you need. My first Google hit was this link which provides "some kind of formula". There were many others and I suggest you go down the same path.
When you find something that looks the right level, ask PF again to clear up particular problems. you find there. Otherwise, it can turn out to be too open ended for PF to help.
 
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  • #32
I am very new here....and yet I found the question interesting. I have been wondering the same thing myself. Another approach to the problem might be to ask, "what theories come into play" with this problem? If we knew the major theories involved, we should be able to learn and solve the problem on our own. Please don't give up on the question, keep it very simple - at the theoretical level. Thanks you, Rob
 

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