A Question about Effect of Surface Area on Loudness

In summary, the question being discussed is whether the surface area of a barrier affects the loudness of sound for a listener. The conversation includes a diagram showing two scenarios with different surface areas and the question focuses on whether the sound will be louder in the scenario with greater surface area. The results are dependent on the material of the barrier and there is no definitive answer. It is mentioned that continuing the discussion in one thread would be more appropriate.
  • #1
Kaneki123
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Okay... I have a question about "effect of surface area on loudness".I am going to upload a diagram along this post.It shows two scenarios. The "red thing" is a barrier, which allows absolutely no air contact between the speaker and the listener. So the only way the sound can travel outside is through the red solid. My question is simple, is the sound from the speaker going to be louder for the listener in the second case (the case with the greater surface area) than in the first case?...Any help is appreciated
 
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  • #2
This is the diagram
 

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  • #3
Kaneki123 said:
This is the diagram
The two rectangles with the speakers in them are very stylised. In reality, they would need to be thick concrete boxes.
The results would depend on the material that the Red plugs are made of. The T shaped one could produce more sound because there is a bigger area to disturb the air in front of it - so more power injected. Otoh, if the red material is very lossy, the T shape could let less sound through.
So there is no definitive answer, I fear.

PS PF doesn't approve of multiple threads about the same topic. It would have been better to continue your original thread.
 
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Related to A Question about Effect of Surface Area on Loudness

1. How does surface area affect loudness?

The larger the surface area of a sound-producing object, the louder the sound will be. This is because a larger surface area allows for more air molecules to be displaced, creating a larger sound wave and therefore a louder sound.

2. What is the relationship between surface area and decibel levels?

As surface area increases, decibel levels also increase. Decibels measure the intensity or loudness of a sound, and a larger surface area produces a stronger sound wave, resulting in a higher decibel level.

3. Does the material of the surface affect loudness?

Yes, the material of the surface can also affect loudness. Different materials have different densities and capabilities for sound transmission. For example, a metal surface may produce a louder sound than a wooden surface of the same size due to its higher density.

4. How does distance from the sound source affect the effect of surface area on loudness?

The effect of surface area on loudness will be more significant at a closer distance from the sound source. As the distance increases, the sound wave will spread out and decrease in intensity, making the difference in loudness between different surface areas less noticeable.

5. Why is it important to consider surface area when studying loudness?

Surface area is an important factor to consider when studying loudness because it directly influences the intensity of a sound. Understanding the relationship between surface area and loudness can help in designing better sound-producing devices and creating more accurate measurements of sound levels.

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