Fundamentals of Physical Acoustics

Book Description

AN AUTHORITATIIVE, UP-TO-DATE INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL ACOUSTICS

Easy to read and understand, Fundamentals of Physical Acoustics fills a long-standing need for an acoustics text that challenges but does not overpower graduate students in engineering and physics. Mathematical results and physical explanations go hand in hand, and a unique feature of the book is the balance it strikes between time-domain and frequency-domain presentations.

Fundamentals of Physical Acoustics is intended for a two-semester, first-year graduate course, but is also suitable for advanced undergraduates. Emphasis on plane waves in the first part of the book keeps the mathematics simple yet accommodates a broad range of topics: propagation, reflection and transmission, normal modes and simple waveguides for rectilinear geometries, horns, inhomogeneous media, and sound absorption and dispersion.

The second part of the book is devoted to a more rigorous development of the wave equation, spherical and cylindrical waves (including the more advanced mathematics required), advanced waveguides, baffled piston radiation, diffraction (treated in the time domain), and arrays. Applications and examples are drawn from:

Atmospheric acoustics
Noise control
Underwater acoustics
Engineering acoustics
Acoustical measurements

Supplemented with more than 300 graphs and figures as well as copious end-of-chapter problems, Fundamentals of Physical Acoustics is also an excellent professional reference for engineers and scientists.

Customer Reviews:

Not finished yet........2007-08-23

Having only got through the first few pages I can say that it is well written and written in a style that explains everything clearly.
No complaints at all.

A fairly practical book for a complex topic.......2006-12-07

I knew I liked this book when I read section C of the introduction:

"How is the wave equation derived? Three common physical systems that carry waves - the electrical transmission line, the flexible string, and the compressible fluid - are considered in this section."

I needed a practical book to help me when I somehow volunteered myself to perform some acoustic experiments at work. They kind of said "Hey, you're a physicist. Can you do this?" And then I said "Uh... sure." I read through what I could find in Halliday and Resnick, a book I like for its simplicity. But then I needed something more complicated, so I bought Morse and Ingard, which was way too much. Then I found this book.

And its a good thing I did. The book uses the wave equation to solve each of these problems, and if you pay attention, you can assemble a nice, general approach to solving problems of this nature, and you'll have a list of analogous variables when you're done. The whole book is written like this. It's not an ASM Handbook by any means, but it is more practical than Morse and Ingard, has more drawings and diagrams, and I was surprised to find one of the cleanest, simplest descriptions of Bessel functions I've seen yet. The book addresses the complex problems without doing endless integrals, and it whenever possible it works through the problem and doesn't rely on phrases like "the reduction of step X to step Y is left as an exercise for the student" in its derivations. I appreciate this - it makes the book more friendly as a reference text.

Also, when I was a graduate student I never paid attention to literature references in text books because I (naively) considered them to be outdated. But a literature search is one of the best tools I have available to me in the working world - if you have access to a literature database, you will find the literature references at the end of some chapters to be very useful.

Consider it a useful reference text, and probably a practical textbook as well.

Best intro to acoustics for engineers especially.......2006-12-05

This book is geared towards graduate and upper undergraduate students in physics and engineering. The first nine chapters of the book are restricted to plane waves. Thus the first half of the book introduces the reader to a wide variety of acoustical concepts such as propagation, reflection, transmission, refraction, normal modes, horn theory, absorption, and dispersion. All the while, the first half of the book keeps mathematical complexity to a minimum. The second half of the book relies more on advanced mathematics and is a survey of advanced topics dependent on the reader understanding the first nine chapters of the book. For the second half of the book, it will be helpful if you know calculus as well as differential equations. Each chapter has plenty of exercises so you can practice what you've learned.

Although the coverage is not as broad as Kinser's book on acoustics, this book does a much better job of explaining the foundations of acoustics including the math, which can get quite involved. I really love how Blackstock makes use of figures when explaining concepts and adding in the mathematics to the figure explanation in a way that you will remember the material. My advice is that if you are looking for a good introduction to acoustics, this is the book to read. Once you conquer this and you want something broader that goes into such topics as nonlinear acoustics and underwater acoustics, you probably want to look at Kinsler's "Fundamentals of Acoustics". The following is the table of contents:

1. Introduction
2. Detailed Development of the Acoustical Wave Equation.
3. Reflection and Transmission of Normally Incident Plane Waves of Arbitrary Waveform.
4. Normal Incidence Continued: Steady-State Analysis.
5. Transmission Phenomena: Oblique Incidence.
6. Normal Modes in Cartesian Coordinates: Strings, Membranes, Rooms, and Rectangular Waveguides.
7. Horns.
8. Propagation in Stratified Media.
9. Propagation in Dissipative Fluids: Absorption and Dispersion.
10. Spherical Waves.
11. Cylindrical Waves.
12. Waveguides.
13. Radiation from a Baffled Piston.
14. Diffraction.
15. Arrays.

Wonderful Book.......2005-04-27

I think this is one of the best books on Physical Acoustics.
I would recommend this book to anyone starting to learn acoustics. This statement does not mean that advanced students should not go for this book, as it also covers advanced materials.

My opinion about the book can resumed as follows:

- Clear and concise
- Very good presentation
- Relatively easy to follow
- Very good for self-studying (plan to study the book is recommended by the author)
- There is a derivation (or instructions on how to get) to almost every equation in the book.
- Not too theoretical. Many practical interpretations of the mathematical results are given. (percentage of mathematics well balanced)
- The author makes apparently difficult material simple!

From this book one can jump to more advanced texts (Theoretical Acoustics by Morse and Ingard and Acoustics - An Introduction to its Physical Principles and Applications by Pierce).

Fundamentals of Acoustics by Kinsler et al is also a good book for a beginner, but I think this one is much better.

Moral of the story, I really like this book!

Ps: This is an opinion of a beginner on Physical Acoustics more interested in air applications, that never had lessons about this topic. I don't know if my opinion will change as my knowledge on this field increases:) I doubt it!

Excellent text and reference.......2000-06-13

I find this book clear and concise. This is the reference I use most often at work when I want insight into the physics behind a noise or vibration problem.

Propagation of Radiowaves (Electromagnetic Waves)

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Propagation of Radiowaves (Electromagnetic Waves)
Les W. Barclay
Manufacturer: Institution of Electrical Engineers
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Binding: Hardcover

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Fundamentals of Wireless Communication

ASIN: 0852961022

Book Description

The new edition of this outstanding book is based on a popular IEE Vacation School has been fully updated to reflect the latest developments in the field. With the growing need for wider bandwidths and the consequent need for frequency reuse, this second edition includes greater emphasis on the needs of digital technologies and to new kinds of radio systems. The content reflects the wide experience of an exceptional group of authors and the emphasis throughout is on the ITU Radiocommunication sector recommendations.

Optical Waves in Crystals: Propagation and Control of Laser Radiation (Wiley Series in Pure and Applied Optics)

Average customer rating:

The best there is!

Optical Waves in Crystals: Propagation and Control of Laser Radiation (Wiley Series in Pure and Applied Optics)
Amnon Yariv , and Pochi Yeh
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Quantum Electronics, 3rd Edition
Optical Electronics in Modern Communications (Oxford Series in Electrical and Computer Engineering)

ASIN: 0471430811

Book Description

Describes how laser radiation propagates in natural and artificial materials and how the state of radiation can be controlled and manipulated (phase intensity, polarization) by various means. New concepts and useful techniques are described in the problems. Includes many figures, tables, and examples.

Customer Reviews:

The best there is!.......1998-11-05

As all books by Yariv exremely readable. Excellent overview and excellent explanations. The layout is not fancy but the text is gold. No "handwaving", the authors are really interested in teaching the subject.

Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media (IEEE Press Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory)

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scattering of gaussian beam

Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media (IEEE Press Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory)
Akira Ishimaru
Manufacturer: Wiley-IEEE Press
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Binding: Paperback

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Laser Beam Propagation through Random Media, Second Edition (SPIE Press Monograph Vol. PM152) (Press Monograph)
Radiative Transfer

ASIN: 078034717X

Book Description

Electrical Engineering Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media A volume in the IEEE/OUP Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory Donald G. Dudley, Series Editor This IEEE Classic Reissue presents a unified introduction to the fundamental theories and applications of wave propagation and scattering in random media. Now for the first time, the two volumes of Wave Propagation and Scattering in Random Media previously published by Academic Press in 1978 are combined into one comprehensive volume. This book presents a clear picture of how waves interact with the atmosphere, terrain, ocean, turbulence, aerosols, rain, snow, biological tissues, composite material, and other media. The theories presented will enable you to solve a variety of problems relating to clutter, interference, imaging, object detection, and communication theory for various media. This book is expressly designed for engineers and scientists who have an interest in optical, microwave, or acoustic wave propagation and scattering. Topics covered include:

Wave characteristics in aerosols and hydrometeors
Optical and acoustic scattering in sea water
Scattering from biological materials
Pulse scattering and beam wave propagation in such media
Optical diffusion in tissues and blood
Transport and radiative transfer theory
Kubelka—Munk flux theory and plane-parallel problem
Multiple scattering theory
Wave fluctuations in turbulence
Strong fluctuation theory
Rough surface scattering
Remote sensing and inversion techniques
Imaging through various media

About the IEEE/OUP Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory Formerly the IEEE Press Series on Electromagnetic Waves, this joint series between IEEE Press and Oxford University Press offers outstanding coverage of the field with new titles as well as reprintings and revisions of recognized classics that maintain long-term archival significance in electromagnetic waves and applications. Designed specifically for graduate students, practicing engineers, and researchers, this series provides affordable volumes that explore electromagnetic waves and applications beyond the undergraduate level. See page il of the front matter for a listing of books in this series.

Customer Reviews:

scattering of gaussian beam.......1998-10-17

AN INCIDENT GAUSSIAN BEAM IMPINGING ON A BIG DIELECRIC MEDIUM.

Wave Propagation in Elastic Solids (North-Holland Series in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics)

Average customer rating:

as hard as QM in physics

Wave Propagation in Elastic Solids (North-Holland Series in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics)
J.D. Achenbach
Manufacturer: Elsevier Science
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Wave Motion in Elastic Solids
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ASIN: 0720403251

Book Description

The propagation of mechanical disturbances in solids is of interest in many branches of the physical scienses and engineering. This book aims to present an account of the theory of wave propagation in elastic solids. The material is arranged to present an exposition of the basic concepts of mechanical wave propagation within a one-dimensional setting and a discussion of formal aspects of elastodynamic theory in three dimensions, followed by chapters expounding on typical wave propagation phenomena, such as radiation, reflection, refraction, propagation in waveguides, and diffraction. The treatment necessarily involves considerable mathematical analysis. The pertinent mathematical techniques are, however, discussed at some length.

Customer Reviews:

as hard as QM in physics.......2003-12-31

to study this hard subject, subject as hard as QM in physics, can become the #1 nation boss!

Radio Frequency Principles and Applications: The Generation, Propagation, and Reception of Signals and Noise (IEEE Press Series on RF and Microwave Technology)

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Radio Frequency Principles and Applications: The Generation, Propagation, and Reception of Signals and Noise (IEEE Press Series on RF and Microwave Technology)
Albert A. Smith
Manufacturer: Wiley-IEEE Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Introduction to RF Propagation

ASIN: 0780334310

Book Description

"Now, in a single convenient volume, you can have all the information you need on real-world applications of electromagnetic theory, including the prediction, analysis, and measurement of electromagnetic fields and their effects. RADIO FREQUENCY PRINCIPLES and APPLICATIONS will guide you from the basics of electromagnetic theory to the full range of new and vital applications.

Author Albert A. Smith, Jr. provides a wealth of practical information in an accessible style, without using obtuse theory or requiring complex mathematical derivations.

This exceptionally ""readable"" text ties together the various related topics in a logical development, and the material flows from the fundamentals of electromagnetic fields to areas of practical application. The numerous figures provide helpful illustrations, and the appendicies offer additional mathematical details.

This book will be of particular use to engineers working in the many diverse fields relating to the application of electromagnetic concepts, including engineers involved in RF technology, EMC, radio wave propagation, antennas, radio frequency environments, wireless communications, microwaves, and space systems.

Professors: To request an examination copy simply e-mail collegeadoption@ieee.org."

Sponsored by:
IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility Society, IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society.

Practical Antenna Handbook
Average customer rating:

good info

HAM Radio Antenna

Good Book

Great source for antenna ideas!

A Bible for the Antenna Guru

Practical Antenna Handbook
Joseph J. Carr
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The ARRL Operating Manual (Arrl Operating Manual)

ASIN: 0071374353

Book Description

The Antenna Builder’s Bible – Updated and Better Than Ever!

Design and construct your own antennas with step-by-step instructions and plans. Joseph J. Carr’s Practical Antenna Handbook, Fourth Edition, is an update of the most popular book on antennas ever written. This empowering guide blends theoretical concepts that engineers need to design practical antennas with hard-learned lessons derived from actually building and using antennas -- real antennas, not merely theoretical constructs on a blackboard. Certain to become the toolbox favorite of radio enthusiasts and professionals of all types, from technicians to citizen banders and shortwave listeners, it covers a wide variety of antennas: high-frequency dipole; vertically polarized HF; multiband and tunable wire; hidden and limited space; directional phased vertical and directional beam VHF/UHF transmitting and receiving; shortwave reception; microwave; and mobile, marine, and emergency. This state-of-the-art edition includes a new chapter on antenna modeling software and new coverage of small transmitting antennas and receiving loop antennas.

*Packaged with CD-ROM with antenna modeling software -- including material on EZNEC for Windows 3.0.

Download Description

Design and construct your own antennas with step-by-step instructions and plans. Joseph J. Carr's Practical Antenna Handbook, Fourth Edition, is an update of the most popular book on antennas ever written.

Customer Reviews:

good info.......2007-07-09

I found this book to be very similar to the arrl's book , but of a better size. more easily handled, with the addition of the included cd, I expect to find it very useful in my experimentation with antennas, as well as of benifit to my general knowledge.

HAM Radio Antenna.......2007-01-09

A very informative and well presented text on amateur radio antennas. It is the best presentation on grounding the antenna, in contast to other ARRL books. But it could stand more detail about grounding in the next edition. For example why is it not as important to ground a 2 meter antenna. Of course the book does emphasize HF more than VHF since the author is more "into" that band.

Good Book.......2001-12-10

Antenna books follow either the practical approach (e.g. Carr's Practical Antenna Handbook) or the mathematical approach (e.g. Kraus's Antennas). To be a true antenna expert, one needs to know both. But for those of us who are not equipped to handle the mathematical approach, the practical approach will do just fine, in which case I would recommend Carr's Practical Antenna Book and ARRL's Antenna Book. Here are some differences between the two:

1. Carr is more readable.
2. ARRL is more comprehensive, with 2.5 times the number of words as Carr.
3. ARRL has more photographs and better looking sketches.
3. ARRL has a multi-author approach (with technical checks and balances) as opposed to Carr's one-man approach. Carr contains few bibliographical references, whereas ARRL has tons of references for further reading.

My opinion: Carr is better for the beginner, but ARRL is better for details and as a reference book. Better yet, get both books, since they serve complementary purposes.

Great source for antenna ideas!.......2001-08-30

As a radio operator for an Airborne Infantry (Long-Range Surveillance) unit, this book is indispensable! If you need an HF antenna for a certain wavelength or a specific job, or want an explanation of how long-range 'sky-wave' communications work, then this book is a must have!

A Bible for the Antenna Guru.......2001-06-05

An overwhelming text written for the novice and well as the expert in mind. If you want to build an antenna or have looked up curiously at the antenna in your neighbor's yard, then this is the book that will give you the answer as well as anything else you could need to get into the world of communications and RXing.

Fundamentals of Distributed Amplification (Artech House Antennas and Propagation Library)

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Fundamentals of Distributed Amplification (Artech House Antennas and Propagation Library)
Thomas T. Y. Wong
Manufacturer: Artech House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0890066159

Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Rain

Average customer rating:

Difficult to Follow, Overly Empirical

Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Rain
Robert K. Crane
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471613762

Book Description

Climatic factors such as rain, snow, and other forms of precipitation can have a significant impact on the transmission of radio, light, or heat waves in the atmosphere. Communication systems may experience a loss of signal caused by the effects of rain on a radio link. Radar systems may experience interference that distorts the amplitude of the target signal. Any remote sensing system that relies on the propagation of electromagnetic waves must therefore be designed to take these factors into account.

Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Rain was written to help system designers in such fields as meteorology, telecommunications, radar, and aircraft guidance systems face the challenge of predicting and compensating for these potentially serious weather-related effects on communication or remote sensing systems around the world and above the surface of the earth.

Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Rain describes and analyzes the interaction between electromagnetic waves and various forms of precipitation. Interdisciplinary in approach, this book provides a solid in-depth treatment of the underlying physics as well as applications in communications, the aerospace industry, and meteorology.

Through a combination of observations and models, Dr. Crane provides both students and practitioners of communication system design with a reliable statistical base for determining the frequency and severity of precipitation- generated attenuation episodes that can significantly impact on vital electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere.

An invaluable book for professionals and advanced students in electrical, aerospace, and communications engineering, remote sensing, physics, and meteorology, Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Rain represents a significant addition to the literature and an important contribution to our understanding and management of this problem.

Precipitation patterns can have a major impact on telecommunication and radar systems around the world. The frequency and duration of rain or snow in any given area at any given time can determine the extent to which vital electromagnetic waves may be compromised—causing interference or even failure in a system. The result of more than 30 years of research, Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Rain provides a clear analysis of attenuation by rain and other forms of precipitation on a wide range of vital communication systems.

Using observations and models, the author offers predictable statistics of rain events which can help to achieve more effective system designs. Its practical interdisciplinary approach makes Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Through Rain an indispensable resource for engineering professionals and advanced students in electrical, aerospace, and communications engineering.

Major topics covered include:

Effects of Rain
Rain Structure and Rain-Rate Statistics
Rain-Rate Climate Models
Modeling Attenuation by Rain
Attenuation Mitigation via Diversity
Worst-Month Statistics
Estimating Risk

Customer Reviews:

Difficult to Follow, Overly Empirical.......2002-09-22

To start with, the title is really something of a misnomer. A better title would be "Empirically Estimating Long Term Attenuation Statistics of Terrestrial Radio Links". His results do not extend beyond radio frequencies and they are difficult to apply to anything other than terrestrial links. And he does not really provide much insight into EM wave propagation so much as empirical parameters which are difficult to validate.

Better for a tutorial on the subject of interaction of radio waves and the atmosphere is: Doppler Radar and Weather Observations by Richard J. Doviak, Dusan S. Zrnic or any of a number of books on radar meteorology. Apologies to the communications community but the radar guys have the most thorough treatment of the field, because it is the object of their study, rather than merely an impairment.

Crane's claim to fame is that you can use his book (and included Excel file) to make predictions about link availability for radio and radar installations. One shortcoming is trying to extend his result to other than surface to surface and surface to satellite links. It's possible, but I don't believe he's much help.

There is a similar ITU model and either is about as easy to use. I do not believe that one is decisively better than the other. Your choice of model may depend more on you institutions prejudices and traditions or your customers' "comfort level" with either model.

One problem with this book, IMHO is that its "derivations" are overly empirical and difficult to extend. (I do not think I am being uncharitable in expressing the opinion that they are mathematically unsound in places and the mathematically unsound derivations often depend on physical assumptions which he never really justifies.) I've seen people produce extremely slipshod analyses based on misapplication "Crane's model." And these results, inherited at third hand and barely understood, become gospel. Admittedly this is not so much the fault of Crane but of his would-be disciples.

Another problem is that his models are not easy to apply, as presented, one needs to depend on his spreadsheets. (This is Crane's fault.) It is difficult to extend his spreadsheet to mobile platforms, such as aircraft and ships. It would be nice to have the climate zone boundaries in tabular form so that one could model such platforms as they move around the earth.

The ITU models are more or less the same, the parameters and zone boundaries are different. Use whichever you're comfortable with. If you need to make ballpark estimates of link availability Crane's spreadsheet should be fine. If you want to learn about electromagnetic wave propagation through rain, go elsewhere.

Propagation of electromagnetic waves in plasma (Russian monographs and texts on advanced mathematics and physics)
Average customer rating:

classical

Propagation of electromagnetic waves in plasma (Russian monographs and texts on advanced mathematics and physics)
V. L Ginzburg
Manufacturer: Gordon and Breach
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Plasma Physics | Solid-State Physics | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007GWM6W

Customer Reviews:

classical.......2005-09-01

this is a classical review of plasma waves...excellent in order to calculate wave propagation in inhomgeneous, magnetoactive and isotropic plasma. Excellent review of E,H reflection coefficients, etc

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