PM6-UniversityofSydneySchoolofPhysics.docVIP

PM7 SOUND Some claim that pianists are human, And quote the case of Mr Truman. St Saens, upon the other hand, Considered them a scurvy band. Ape-like they are, he said, and simian, Instead of normal men and wimian. OBJECTIVES Aims In this chapter you will study the phenomena of sound. You will find that the speed of sound depends on the stiffness and the density of the medium it propagates through. The property specific acoustic impedance, of a medium is defined and its role in determining the reflection of sound from boundaries between two media is discussed. The physics involved in the ear and in hearing is discussed. Minimum Learning Goals When you have finished studying this chapter you should be able to do all of the following. 1 Explain and use the following terms: acoustic impedance, specific acoustic impedance, impedance matching, Fourier analysis, Fourier synthesis. 2 Recall how the acoustic impedance of a medium depends on the bulk modulus and the density of the medium. 3 (i) Recall how the specific acoustic impedance of a medium depends on the bulk modulus and the density of the medium. (ii) Give a definition of sound power reflection coefficient between two media in terms of the amplitudes of incident and the reflected waves and in terms of the specific acoustic impedances of the two media. (iii) Describe an experiment to verify these laws. 4 Describe what is meant by an acoustic impedance mismatch; and describe a method by which the problems arising from such a mismatch may be avoided. 5 Describe an experiment to analyze the frequency components present in a musical note or other sound. 6 (i) Draw a schematic diagram of the ear, identifying the following : outer ear, auditory canal, eardrum (tympanic membrane), ossicles, oval window, cochlea. (ii) Draw a schematic diagram of the cochlea identifying the basilar membrane and the nerve cells. (iii) State the general form of the information processed in the cochlea and sent to the brain. (iv) De