Introduction
Acoustical Physics
Physics 1100
As you go through this course please keep in mind the following.
1. This is a physics course and not a music course.
2. You are not expected to have had physics before or any background except
algebra. Topics will be developed and discussed as needed.
3. In this introduction there may be terms and concepts you have not heard before.
That is okay. We will study these concepts and terms as they are needed. You are
not expected to understand them at this point.
4. Sound and perception of sound is a very broad and complex field. In large part
this is due to our interpretation of sound based on individual likes, dislikes, ability
to hear, as well as cultural, social and psychological aspects.
5. You will need to study outside of class or lab. The content modules go well
beyond what is given in the book.
6. Different authors and practicing “sound” industry people can use different terms
to mean different things. Physicists may use variations in definitions from audio
engineers.
7. Stay current with the material.
Sound
The first thing that needs to be addressed is an operational understanding of sound. To
do this we must first consider that there are three descriptions of sound used that are
related but at times are used in different contexts and have different meanings.
1. Sound
2. Sound waves
3. Auditory response of the ear
Sound itself is the presence of small rapid changes in air pressure. These rapid changes
are in general have a frequency or pitch and consequentially are of a sinusoidal nature.
While we have not defined sinusoidal at this point we can note that it implies that these
