Intro to Acoustics (Part 1) (Coursera)

Intro to Acoustics (Part 1) (Coursera)

This course introduces acoustics by using the concept of impedance. In the previous part, the course starts with vibrations and waves, demonstrating how vibration can be envisaged as a kind of wave, mathematically and physically. They are realized by one-dimensional examples, which provide mathematically simplest but clear enough physical insights. Then the part 1 ends with explaining waves on a flat surface of discontinuity, demonstrating how propagation characteristics of waves change in space where there is a distributed impedance mismatch.

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Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction
Vibration and Waves
You will going to learn basic concepts of vibration and waves for this week. From the vibration of string, you will be able to derive one dimensional wave equation. Then it will be explained with the concept of 'Impedance.'

WEEK 2
Acoustic Wave Equation
Earlier part of this week, you will learn three fundamental physical measures that explain one dimensional wave equation. After that, you will briefly learn about basic concepts of acoustic intensity and energy.

WEEK 3
Acoustic Wave Equation and its Basic Physical Measures
On this week, you will learn deeply into acoustic intensity and energy. Then you will get the concept of units of sound, or dB scale with listening to various sound. At the end, you will be able to derive the solutions of the wave equation.

WEEK 4
Waves on a Flat Surface of Discontinuity 1
You will now learn when the waves meet on a flat surface of discontinuity. It will be explained with the mass law of wave phenomena.

WEEK 5
Waves on a Flat Surface of Discontinuity 2
You will going to learn more about the waves on a discontinuity. With the Snell's Law, you will be able to find out the wave propagation after transmission and reflection on discontinuity.

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