Basic information on acoustics
What is acoustics and sound?
Acoustics is the science of the generation, propagation, transmission, reproduction, reception, measurement and effects of sound and of the phenomenon of hearing.
Sound is an aural sensation caused by pressure variations in the air which are produced by some source of vibrations.
In physical terms, sound is a mechanical vibration of gaseous, liquid or solid elastic medium to create a form of mechanical energy. When it is produced, air particles oscillate around their equilibrium position to affect the medium at the adjacent surface. Due to the elasticity of air, the oscillation of air particles makes the air molecules next to its surface to cause a successive oscillation of the neighboring elastic air particles. Thus, a steady successive sound wave is formed.
Classification of sound
Sound
| Where it borns | Where it propagates | How it propagates |
| Airborne sounds | Outdoor propagation | Point sources |
| Structureborne sounds | Indoor propagation | Line sources |
| Mixture or airborne and structureborne sounds | Plane sources |
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