This article is about small-scale particle acceleration in acoustics. For acceleration of charged particles to very high energies, see particle accelerator.
In acoustics, particle acceleration is the acceleration (rate of change in speed and direction) of particles[clarification needed] in a sound transmission medium. When sound passes through a medium it causes particle displacement[1] and as such causes changes in their acceleration.
The acceleration of the air[dubious – discuss] particles of a plane sound wave is given by:
| Symbol | Units | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| a | m/s2 | particle acceleration |
| v | m/s | particle velocity |
| δ | m, meters | particle displacement |
| ω = 2πf | radians/s | angular frequency |
| f | Hz, hertz | frequency |
| p | Pa, pascals | sound pressure |
| Z | N·s/m3 | acoustic impedance |
| J | W/m2 | sound intensity |
| E | W·s/m3 | sound energy density |
| Pac | W, watts | sound power or acoustic power |
| A | m2 | area |
- ^ Arthur Schuster (1904). An Introduction to the Theory of Optics. London: Edward Arnold.
An Introduction to the Theory of Optics By Arthur Schuster.