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Sound Intensity Loss Question
- Thread starter justadream
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I'll take a wild guess:
I would expect attenuation to occur if the molecules of the medium don't fully return to their original position after a compression (you're probably aware that sound waves travel by alternating longitudinal compressions and decompressions). In something like a gas, the compressions would involve large displacements, so maybe a greater chance for the molecules to not fully return to their original position in comparison to something like a solid.
You'll probably ask about attenuation in a single phase with differing densities, and for that I don't have much of a guess! Maybe someone else can give a better explanation?
I would expect attenuation to occur if the molecules of the medium don't fully return to their original position after a compression (you're probably aware that sound waves travel by alternating longitudinal compressions and decompressions). In something like a gas, the compressions would involve large displacements, so maybe a greater chance for the molecules to not fully return to their original position in comparison to something like a solid.
You'll probably ask about attenuation in a single phase with differing densities, and for that I don't have much of a guess! Maybe someone else can give a better explanation?
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@The Brown Knight
How about for other types of waves (not just sound waves)?
Would you expect increased attenuation with smaller density materials?
I think it would be the opposite for electromagnetic waves. Isn't that why lead is useful as protection when taking X-rays?
How about for other types of waves (not just sound waves)?
Would you expect increased attenuation with smaller density materials?
I think it would be the opposite for electromagnetic waves. Isn't that why lead is useful as protection when taking X-rays?
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guy here says that
"There is a formula for attenuation in fluids which takes into account the density. I think that's beyond what MCAT tests but it is correct that higher density has lower attenuation (less losses in high density materials)."
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/sound-attenuation.894679/
i also thought that sound would travel slower in more dense materials than less dense...
maybe the phase of the material matters. i know the sound travels faster in less dense air
but does sound not travel faster in denser solids than less dense solids?
"There is a formula for attenuation in fluids which takes into account the density. I think that's beyond what MCAT tests but it is correct that higher density has lower attenuation (less losses in high density materials)."
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/sound-attenuation.894679/
i also thought that sound would travel slower in more dense materials than less dense...
maybe the phase of the material matters. i know the sound travels faster in less dense air
but does sound not travel faster in denser solids than less dense solids?
