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Key Equations

Pressure of a sound wave ΔP=ΔPmaxsin(kxωt+ϕ )
Displacement of the oscillating molecules of a
sound wave
s(x,t ) =smaxcos(kxωt+ϕ )
Velocity of a wave v=fλ
Speed of sound in a fluid v=Bρ
Speed of sound in a solid v=Yρ
Speed of sound in an ideal gas v=γRT M
Speed of sound in air as a function of temperature v=331ms TK 273K =331ms 1+TC 273°C
Decrease in intensity as a spherical wave expands I2=I1(r1 r2 ) 2
Intensity averaged over a period I= P A
Intensity of sound I=(Δpmax ) 2 2ρv
Sound intensity level β(dB ) =10log10(II0 )
Resonant wavelengths of a tube closed at one end λn=4n L,n=1,3,5,…
Resonant frequencies of a tube closed at one end fn=nv4L ,n=1,3,5,…
Resonant wavelengths of a tube open at both ends λn=2n L,n=1,2,3,…
Resonant frequencies of a tube open at both ends fn=nv2L ,n=1,2,3,…
Beat frequency produced by two waves that
differ in frequency
fbeat=|f2f1 |
Observed frequency for a stationary observer
and a moving source
fo=fs(vvvs )
Observed frequency for a moving observer
and a stationary source
fo=fs(v±vo v )
Doppler shift for the observed frequency fo=fs(v±vo vvs )
Mach number M=vs v
Sine of angle formed by shock wave sinθ=vvs =1M
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