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Physics
Sound waves
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Period T:
Tools and display
Model notes
- Sound waves are computed on a two dimensional lattice using a fixed time step. Colour represents relative pressure change, not pressure in Pa.
- The oscillating source creates pressure variations in a continuous medium. Individual air molecule positions are not shown.
- Time is displayed in ms and frequency in Hz; propagation is slowed for visibility. Audible sound uses the source frequency and the location, interference or pressure volume factor; it does not come directly from lattice colour and is not a sound level measurement in dB.
- The wall is an ideal reflecting boundary; material absorption and three dimensional room acoustics are not modelled.
- In Two sources, the model interference factor already includes the source amplitude and is multiplied by amplitude again for audio. Audible output therefore does not change in a simple linear way with the Amplitude slider.