Physical Properties of Sound

Inverse Distance Law

+6dB doubles the intensity of sound; 2x the distance = ½ the intensity of the sound.

Constructive Interference

Combining sine waves so that compression + compression amplifies sound.

Destructive Interference

Combining sine waves where compression + rarefaction results in cancellation.

Masking

One sound's intensity causes another sound to become inaudible when heard simultaneously.

Resistance / Impedance

A surface/body that retards the progression of sound is proportional to its density.

Resonance

Determined by mass, elasticity, and frictional characteristics, it describes a body's efficient vibration frequencies.

Reverberation

Reflective sound as it travels through space, encountering surfaces/bodies.

Precedence Effect

The brain's fusion of incident and reflected waves into a single percept.

The _____ describes how sound intensity changes with distance.

Inverse Distance Law

Combining waves so that their compressions add together is known as _____ interference.

Constructive

When waves combine and the compression meets rarefaction, it is called _____ interference.

Destructive

The phenomenon where one sound makes another sound inaudible is referred to as _____.

Masking

A body's ability to slow down sound traveling through it is called resistance or _____.

Impedance

The efficiency of a vibrating body at certain frequencies is defined as its _____.

Resonance

Reflective sound that persists in a space due to multiple surfaces is known as _____.

Reverberation

The brain's ability to merge direct and reflected sounds is known as the _____ effect.

Precedence

When sound travels through a denser medium, its intensity will _____ compared to traveling through air.

Decrease

An increase in sound level by _____ dB generally indicates doubling of sound intensity.

6

What is the primary factor that affects the speed of sound in a medium?

The density of the medium.

How does temperature affect the speed of sound in air?

The speed of sound increases with rising temperature.

What is the unit of measurement for sound intensity?

Decibel (dB).

What is the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?

Longitudinal waves oscillate in the direction of travel, while transverse waves oscillate perpendicular to the direction of travel.

What phenomenon causes a sound to seem louder when closer?

Inverse Distance Law.

What acoustical effect explains why a sound may seem to come from a direction different than its source?

Precedence Effect.

What is sound masking commonly used for in audio engineering?

To reduce the audibility of unwanted sounds by overlapping them with more desirable noise.

In reverberation, what type of sound reflections contribute most to the overall effect?

Multiple reflections from surfaces in the environment.

Why is resonance important in musical instruments?

It enhances sound quality and volume by amplifying specific frequencies.

What psychological effect does masking a sound create in relation to human hearing?

It can make it difficult to hear or distinguish another sound when both are present.