Acoustic wave - definition
Acoustic wave - definition
Acoustic wave is a mechanical disturbance propagating in an elastic medium, caused by a local change in the pressure, density or velocity of the particles of the medium, which causes the transfer of energy without permanent displacement of matter. Its source can be any phenomenon causing vibration of molecules - from vibration of a solid to varying pressure in a liquid or gas. Acoustic waves propagate in the form of longitudinal waves, in which the direction of vibration of molecules coincides with the direction of wave propagation, although transverse waves can also occur in solids.
The characteristic parameters of an acoustic wave are frequency, wavelength, speed of propagation and amplitude of sound pressure. Depending on the frequency, the wave can be included in the range of infrasound, audible sounds or ultrasound. The speed of propagation of a wave depends on the properties of the medium - in particular, on its elasticity and density - and is much greater in solids than in gases. In air, at room temperature, the typical speed of a sound wave is about 343 m/s.
From a physical point of view, an acoustic wave is the solution of the wave equations describing the motion of a medium under the influence of a pressure disturbance. Its propagation can undergo phenomena such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference or attenuation. These phenomena determine how sound propagates through space and how it interacts with obstacles and materials.
Acoustic waves play an important role in technical acoustics, medicine (e.g. ultrasonography), underwater communications, industry (e.g. ultrasonic defectoscopy), as well as in everyday life - as a carrier of speech and music. Analysis of the properties of acoustic waves makes it possible to design sound systems, noise suppression, electro-acoustic transducers and devices for testing the structure of materials and non-destructive diagnostics.
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