Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term

Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

6 terms

A–Z
All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Filtering by: Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics Starts with S Clear all
Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Shock Wave

A extremely thin propagating pressure disturbance characterized by a nearly instantaneous jump in pressure, temperature, and density.

P2 / P1 = 1 + (2γ / (γ + 1)) (M1² - 1) Pa Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Sonar

Sound Navigation and Ranging—a technique utilizing acoustic wave propagation underwater to navigate, communicate, or detect objects.

d = v_water t / 2 m Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Sonic Boom

An explosive impulsive acoustic thunderclap heard on the ground when an object travels faster than the speed of sound.

sin α = 1 / M (Mach Cone Angle) dB / Pa Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Sound Intensity

The time-averaged rate of sound energy flow per unit area perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

I = P / A = p_rms² / (ρ v) W/m² Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Speed of Sound

The speed at which a pressure wave travels through an elastic medium.

v = √(K / ρ) (Fluids), v = √(γ R T / M) (Ideal Gas) m/s Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Standing Waves

A stationary wave pattern formed by the superposition of two identical waves traveling in opposite directions along the same medium.

y(x,t) = [2 A sin(k x)] cos(ω t) m