Derivation of Sound Wave Properties

Sound wave
propagating to
right

+ d
du
p + dp

u = 0 (x) =
p

Similar for u ( x), p( x)

xs
l

Assume:

Sound wave creates small disturbances in an isentropic manner.

Mass

d l
( x)dx + u l u 0 = 0
dt 0
l
d xs
( + d )dx + dx + u l ( + d )du = 0

xs
dt 0
0
l
d xs
( + d )du = 0
d

dx

dx
+
0
dt 0
Constant
time

d
[dx s ] ( + d )du = 0
dt
dx
d s ( + d )du = 0
dt

d a du ddu = 0
Higher
order

da = du

+ d , x < x s
, x > xs

Derivation of Sound Wave Properties

Isentropic disturbances
Constant entropy disturbances for perfect, ideal gases satisfy:
p
= const.

p + dp
p
=

( + d )

p + dp + d

=
p

dp d

1+
= 1 +
p

dp
d
1+
= 1+
p

dp =

p
d

Conservation of Momentum
d l
udx + ( u 2 + p ) l ( u 2 + p) 0 = 0
dt 0

dua

( p + dp) = 0

Higher order
terms eliminated

adu = dp

Summarizing:
ad = du
Mass:
p
Isentropic:
dp = d

Momentum:

adu = dp

(1)
(2)
(3)

Combining a * (1) (3) gives:

a 2 d = dp
Then, using (2) gives:
p
a 2 d = d

p
a 2 d = 0

Since d 0 , then

16.100 2002

a2 =

. Weve just derived the speed of sound for an

Derivation of Sound Wave Properties

Ideal, perfect gas.

p
s = const .

One other thing of interest: Suppose the sound wave caused a change in
pressure, dp . Then, the change in velocity is:
1
du =
dp du has same sign as dp
a
Note: without assuming ideal, perfect gas, the general result is a 2 =

16.100 2002