Acoustics (from Greek ακουστικός pronounced akoustikos meaning "of or for hearing, ready to hear") is the science that studies sound, in particular its production, transmission, and effects. The science of acoustics has many applications which are dependent upon the nature of the sound that is to be produced, transmitted or controlled.

Logo of the Book Acoustics
Logo of the Book Acoustics

In the case of a desirable sound, such as music, the main application of acoustics is to make the music sound as good as possible. In the case of an undesirable sound, such as traffic noise, the main application of acoustics is in noise reduction.

Another major area of acoustics is in the field of ultrasound which has applications in detection, such as sonar systems or non-destructive material testing. The articles in this Wikibook describe the fundamentals of acoustics and some of the major applications.

In order to add an article to this Wikibook, please read the How to contribute? section.

Fundamentals

  1. Fundamentals of Acoustics
  2. Fundamentals of Room Acoustics
  3. Fundamentals of Psychoacoustics
  4. Sound Speed
  5. Filter Design and Implementation
  6. Flow-induced Oscillations of a Helmholtz Resonator
  7. Active Control

Applications

Applications in Transport Industry

  1. Rotor Stator interactions
  2. Car Mufflers
  3. Sonic Boom
  4. Sonar
  5. Interior Sound Transmission

Applications in Room Acoustics

  1. Anechoic and reverberation rooms
  2. Basic Room Acoustic Treatments

Applications in Psychoacoustics

  1. Human Vocal Fold
  2. Threshold of Hearing/Pain

Musical Acoustics Applications

  1. How an Acoustic Guitar Works
  2. Basic Acoustics of the Marimba
  3. Bessel Functions and the Kettledrum
  4. Acoustics in Violins
  5. Microphone Technique
  6. Microphone Design and Operation
  7. Acoustic Loudspeaker
  8. Sealed Box Subwoofer Design

Miscellaneous Applications

  1. Bass-Reflex Enclosure Design
  2. Polymer-Film Acoustic Filters
  3. Noise in Hydraulic Systems
  4. Noise from Cooling Fans
  5. Piezoelectric Transducers
  6. Generation and Propagation of Thunder