Acoustics Homework

4/10/2017

Cynthia Deng
Kevin Chong
Sandra Bonito

1.
a. The pressure front of one cycle will travel one wavelength. Since 𝑐=𝑓λ, and c = 1120 ft/s:
λ = c/𝑓 = (1120 ft/s) / (256 Hz) = 4.38 ft

b. The frequency of the C one octave below middle C would be half of 256, which is 128 Hz
(times each second).

2. True. According to the Egan Loudness excerpts, at low sound levels the sensitivity to low
frequencies drops off sharply. So at 50 dB (relatively low sound level), the sensitivity to low
frequencies like 40 Hz is poor.

3. c. A sound level meter has an electronic A-weighting network because it simulates the frequency
response of human hearing.

4. λ = c/𝑓 = (1120 ft/s) / (112,000 Hz) = 0.01 ft

5. Coefficients of absorption range from 0 to 1. An example of a material with a coefficient of

absorption (at 500 Hz) near 0 (the minimum) is a concrete block with an coefficient of absorption
of 0.05. An example of a material with a coefficient of near 1 (the maximum) is fiberglass, which
has a coefficient of absorption of 0.95.
6.
7. – Somehow get the neighbor to agree to put up a concrete wall between the AC unit and the
property line, with a gap between the concrete wall barrier and AC unit. (The gap keeps AC unit
functioning properly and keeps its vibrations away from direct contact with the barrier.)
– Add porous absorbers in the walls of the client’s home, to increase flow resistance, and add
drapery and some porous panels.
– Make the walls of the client’s home thicker generally, since thicker material increases low-
frequency absorption.

EXTRA CREDIT:

(the answer is that we would go deaf)

𝑆𝐼𝐿(𝑑𝐵) = 10 log (𝐼/𝐼°)

𝐼° (for humans) = 10−16 𝑊/𝑐𝑚2
𝐼° (for Mars inhabitants) = 10−10 𝑊/𝑐𝑚2