The Science and Applications of Acoustics

About this book

This textbook covers modern acoustics - from the basics of wave propagation in solids and fluids to such applications as noise control and cancellation underwater acoustics music and voice synthesis and medical diagnostics with ultrasound. The treatment begins with an historical overview and a review of the propagation of sound waves in the open air and in various confined spaces (strings bars pipes membranes) including a discussion of electrical analogs of acoustical problems. It then turns to the measurement of sound levels and frequencies and a discussion of physiological acoustics. The remainder of the book deals with various applications including architectural acoustics; noise measurement and control; underwater acoustics; ultrasonics; music musical instruments and reproduction of music; and vibration and control of vibrations. Intended for advanced undergraduates in science or engineering the treatment assumes a knowledge of mathematics through elementary partial differential equations and a knowledge of physics that includes the basics of wave phenomena and electrodynamics.