How do sound waves travel through a barrier? A sound wave is the result of compression and rarefaction of gases. This pressure difference makes the air molecules oscillate. [Fig 1]
When sound waves hit the plane wall they reflect. I am considering the same thing for the pressure difference. But when the wave hits the barriers like as shown below image. How will be the pressure distribution? Will it follow the same compression and refraction pattern? Or it will be a high-pressure region at the corner? [fig 2]
Dear Prerna,
When considering a barrier large compared to the molecular mean free path (in air this is 1E-8 m=0.01 micrometer), the behaviour of the air can be described by means of a continuum model which ignores the behaviour of individual molecules. Furthermore when the pressure variation p' associated with the wave is in the typical audio range (p'
Dear Prerna,
I would just like to add that - depending on the actual dimensions and wavelength in your drawing - you might need to take into account the reflection at your barrier including the fact that your barrier is not perpendicular to the sound propagation. As a result, there might be additional resonance effects at the opening to be taken into account.
- Badges
- Science topic