Heath Consultants Aqua-Scop User Manual

Page 19

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The Velocity of Sound is given by:

Where: V = Velocity

γ

= the ratio of the specific heat at constant pressure to

the specific heat at constant volume.

R = the universal gas constant.

T = Absolute Temperature (degrees Kelvin).

m = Gram Molecular Weight of the gas.

Therefore, the Velocity of Sound in Air is:

Velocity = 331

(At 68° F the velocity = 1125 ft./sec.).

The resonant frequency of rods, plates, pipes, strings, etc. is a function of

the shape, density, elastic properties, and boundary conditions defining

the object(s). In the case of a string, the fundamental resonant frequency

is proportional to the Transverse Velocity and inversely proportional to

length.

Sound dissipation along a fixed length of rod or pipe will be effected by

transit time, constraining forces along the wall perimeter, and the media

in the pipe. Discontinuities may drastically reduce sound transmission.

Point source sound propagating in a spherical pattern dissipates (with no

consideration of losses due to absorption reflection or interference) in sound

pressure per unit area as the square of distance. This means a pressure

decrease of 12 decibels each time the distance traveled doubles.

Sound waves, like other forms of energy, experience reflection and

refraction at the boundary between two media. Interference can occur when

two waves from the same source travel different path lengths and reunite.

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