Why is the Sabine equation considered an equation, but not a law?

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SUMMARY

The Sabine equation is recognized as an equation rather than a law due to historical conventions in scientific terminology. While it has been experimentally validated under specific conditions, the classification of scientific principles as "laws" or "equations" often reflects historical trends rather than empirical evidence. Wallace Sabine, a key figure in acoustics, contributed to this field, and the unit of acoustic absorption, the sabin, is named in his honor, representing the absorption by one square foot of a perfect absorber.

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  • Knowledge of scientific terminology and classifications
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Acoustics researchers, physics students, and professionals in architectural design who seek to understand the principles of sound absorption and the historical context of scientific terminology.

Mohamed Nabil
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Hello brothers,
I have been studying much of acoustics recently, and I've been confronted by the following question:

why Sabine equation is not a law?
I mean, It has been used and experimented under certain conditions, and as I get it, that's what you need to call an equation a Law.

I'll appreciate your help among that.
Thank you all,,,
 
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Whether something is a called law or not is mostly just a historical accident. In the past it was more fashionable to call solidly established results laws and nowadays it is less so.
 
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Wallace Sabine had an acoustics unit, the sabin, named for his contributions to physics.
A unit of acoustic absorption equivalent to the absorption by one square foot of a perfect absorber.
 

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