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BTU > Building Utilities Quiz: Acoustics > Flashcards

Building Utilities Quiz: Acoustics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the unit of measurement for sound intensity?

A

Decibel (dB)

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2
Q

Which of the following materials is best for sound absorption?

A

Carpet

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3
Q

What is the term for the time it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB?

A

Reverberation Time (RT60)

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4
Q

A concert hall should have which of the following characteristics?

A

Balanced absorption and diffusion

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5
Q

What is the function of diffusive surfaces in acoustics?

A

Scatter sound evenly

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6
Q

What is the unit of measurement for sound intensity?

A

Decibel (dB)

Decibels measure the loudness or intensity of sound. It is a logarithmic scale where an increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in intensity.

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7
Q

What is a repetitive disturbance that moves through a medium?

A

Wave

A wave is a transfer of energy through a medium without a net movement of particles. Sound waves travel through air, water, or solids.

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8
Q

What is the distance between two consecutive peaks of a wave?

A

Wavelength

Wavelength is the physical distance between the crests or troughs of a wave and determines its frequency.

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9
Q

What term describes the relationship between waves in time?

A

Phase

Phase describes the position of a wave at a given time relative to another wave. Waves in phase reinforce each other, while out-of-phase waves can cancel each other out.

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10
Q

What is the unit of frequency measurement?

A

Hertz (Hz)

Hertz measures the number of sound wave cycles per second. A higher frequency means a higher pitch.

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11
Q

What is the perceived frequency of a sound?

A

PITCH

Pitch is how high or low a sound appears to a listener, determined by its frequency.

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12
Q

What is the lowest frequency of a vibrating object?

A

Fundamental

The fundamental frequency is the base frequency at which an object naturally vibrates.

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13
Q

What are whole number multiples of the fundamental frequency?

A

Harmonics

Harmonics are frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency, contributing to the timbre of a sound.

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14
Q

What is a range of frequencies contained within a signal?

A

Band

A band is a range of frequencies within a signal that helps define the sound spectrum.

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15
Q

What is the frequency range between two frequencies with a 2:1 ratio?

A

Octave

An octave is a range where the higher frequency is exactly twice the lower frequency

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16
Q

What is the phenomenon where sound frequency changes due to motion?

A

Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect occurs when a sound source or listener moves, causing a change in frequency and pitch.

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17
Q

What is the speed at which sound travels through a medium?

A

Speed of Sound

The speed of sound varies based on the medium and temperature and is approximately 343 m/s in air.

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18
Q

What is a graphical representation of a sound wave?

A

Waveform

A waveform visually represents sound variations over time, typically showing amplitude and frequency.

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19
Q

What is the study of sound and its properties?

A

Acoustics

Acoustics is the science of sound and its behavior in various environments.

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20
Q

What is the evaluation of sound characteristics in a space?

A

Acoustical Analysis

Acoustical analysis involves studying how sound waves interact with surfaces and materials in a space.

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21
Q

What is used to enhance sound conditions in a room?

A

Acoustical Treatment

Acoustical treatment refers to using materials like foam, panels, and diffusers to control sound reflections and absorption.

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22
Q

what material is used to improve sound absorption?

A

Sound Board

A sound board is a specialized panel designed to absorb and diffuse sound to improve acoustics.

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23
Q

What is a surface that redirects sound energy?

A

Reflecting Surface

A reflecting surface redirects sound waves, affecting echo, reverberation, and sound distribution.

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24
Q

What is a suspended panel that enhances sound control?

A

Acoustical Cloud

An acoustical cloud is a hanging panel that helps control sound reflections in large spaces.

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25
What is the direct propagation of sound from a source to a listener?
Direct Sound ## Footnote Explanation: Direct sound is the sound that travels in a straight path from the source to the listener without reflection.
26
What is sound that has been reflected off surfaces?
Reflected Sound ## Footnote Reflected sound occurs when sound waves bounce off walls, floors, or ceilings before reaching the listener.
27
What occurs when a sound wave bends around obstacles?
Diffracted Sound ## Footnote Diffracted sound happens when sound waves bend around edges or openings rather than moving in a straight line.
28
What type of sound is transmitted through the air?
Airborne Sound ## Footnote Airborne sound travels through the air and can be blocked using mass, insulation, or barriers.
29
What is a space characterized by a high amount of sound reflections?
Live ## Footnote A live room has high reflectivity, causing longer reverberation times.
30
What is a space that absorbs sound and has little reverberation?
Dead ## Footnote A dead room has high sound absorption, leading to minimal echo and reverberation.
31
What is the reduction of sound energy as it passes through a medium?
Attenuation ## Footnote Attenuation is the gradual loss of sound intensity due to absorption, scattering, or distance.
32
What is the phenomenon where an object vibrates at its natural frequency due to external forces?
Resonance ## Footnote Resonance occurs when an object vibrates in response to sound waves matching its natural frequency.
33
What is when one vibrating object causes another to vibrate at the same frequency?
Sympathetic ## Footnote Sympathetic vibration happens when a sound wave causes another object to vibrate without direct contact.
34
What is the repetition of sound due to reflection from surfaces?
Echo ## Footnote Echo occurs when sound waves reflect off surfaces and return to the listener with a noticeable delay.
35
What is a rapid succession of echoes creating a buzzing effect?
Flutter ## Footnote Flutter echo happens when sound waves repeatedly bounce between parallel surfaces, creating a bouncing effect.
36
What is the concentration of sound waves at a certain point?
Focusing ## Footnote Focusing happens when sound waves converge due to curved reflective surfaces, amplifying sound at specific points.
37
What is the persistence of sound in an enclosed space after the source stops?
Reverberation ## Footnote Reverberation is the collection of multiple reflections that sustain sound in a space.
38
What is the time required for sound to decay to a certain level?
Reverberation Time ## Footnote Reverberation time is the duration it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB in an enclosed space.
39
What is the gradual reduction of sound level over time?
Decay Rate ## Footnote Decay rate measures how quickly sound energy diminishes in a space.
40
What is the process of preventing unwanted sound transmission?
Sound Isolation ## Footnote Sound isolation reduces sound leakage between spaces by using barriers, insulation, and mass.
41
What is the transmission of sound through air?
Airborne Sound Transmission ## Footnote Airborne sound transmission happens when sound waves travel through the air and can be blocked using dense materials.
42
What is the transmission of sound through solid structures?
Structure-Borne Sound Transmission ## Footnote Structure-borne transmission occurs when vibrations travel through walls, floors, or ceilings, generating noise.
43
What is an indirect path that allows sound to bypass a barrier?
Flanking Path ## Footnote A flanking path is an unintended sound pathway around or through building components, reducing sound isolation.
44
What is a barrier installed to prevent sound transmission above ceiling spaces?
Plenum Barrier ## Footnote A plenum barrier blocks sound transmission in the ceiling plenum, improving room-to-room sound isolation.
45
What is a solid base used to reduce vibration transfer?
Inertia Block ## Footnote An inertia block is a heavy base designed to absorb vibrations and reduce transmission to the surrounding structure.
46
What device is used to reduce vibrations from machinery?
Vibration Isolator ## Footnote A vibration isolator is a mechanical device that reduces vibrations by dampening or absorbing energy.
47
What refers to the resistance of air in a space affecting sound waves?
Acoustic Mass ## Footnote Acoustic mass relates to the resistance of air movement and plays a role in sound propagation.
48
What is any unwanted or disturbing sound?
Noise ## Footnote Noise is unwanted sound that may cause disruption, annoyance, or damage to hearing.
49
What is the reduction of noise level between two areas?
Noise Reduction ## Footnote Noise reduction involves lowering sound levels using barriers, insulation, or absorption materials.
50
What is the level of ambient noise present in an environment?
Background Noise ## Footnote Background noise consists of constant environmental sounds that may interfere with communication or acoustics.
51
What is the measure of acceptable background noise levels?
Background Noise Level ## Footnote Background noise level defines the acceptable or typical noise level in a given space or setting.
52
What type of noise has equal intensity at all frequencies?
White Noise ## Footnote White noise is a random sound containing equal power across all frequencies, commonly used for masking unwanted noise.
53
What is a graph showing acceptable noise levels in different environments?
Noise Criteria Curve ## Footnote The noise criteria curve is used to evaluate and set permissible noise levels in various settings.
54
What occurs when two sound waves of the same frequency combine?
Standing Waves ## Footnote Standing waves form when two identical waves interfere, creating areas of high and low pressure.
55
What is the effect of multiple sound waves overlapping and altering each other?
Interference ## Footnote Interference occurs when sound waves combine, leading to amplification (constructive) or cancellation (destructive).
56
What is the process by which a material takes in sound energy?
Absorption ## Footnote Absorption happens when sound waves enter a material and convert energy into heat, reducing reflection.
57
What is the unit of measurement for sound absorption?
Sabin ## Footnote A sabin measures the sound absorption of a surface, named after Wallace Clement Sabine.
58
What is the fraction of sound energy absorbed by a surface?
Absorption Coefficient ## Footnote Absorption coefficient represents the efficiency of a material in absorbing sound energy.
59
What is the average absorption coefficient of a material?
Noise Reduction Coefficient ## Footnote The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) indicates a material's sound absorption performance, averaged across four frequencies.
60
What is the physiological process of perceiving sound?
Hearing ## Footnote Hearing is the process where sound waves are detected by the ear and interpreted by the brain.
61
What unit is used to measure sound intensity levels?
Decibels ## Footnote Decibels (dB) measure sound intensity, with higher values indicating louder sounds.
62
What is the threshold at which sound becomes painful to the human ear?
Threshold of Pain ## Footnote The threshold of pain is typically around 120-130 dB, beyond which sound causes physical discomfort.
63
What is temporary hearing impairment due to exposure to loud sounds?
Auditory Fatigue ## Footnote Auditory fatigue is a temporary reduction in hearing sensitivity after prolonged exposure to loud noise.
64
What is permanent damage to hearing caused by excessive noise exposure?
Hearing Loss ## Footnote Hearing loss occurs when prolonged exposure to loud noise damages the inner ear structures.
65
What is the faintest sound that can be heard by the human ear?
Threshold of Hearing ## Footnote The threshold of hearing is the minimum sound level (0 dB) that the human ear can detect.
66
What is the subjective perception of the strength of sound?
Loudness ## Footnote Loudness is how the human ear perceives sound intensity, which depends on frequency and sound pressure.
67
What unit is used to measure the perceived loudness of sound?
Phon ## Footnote A phon represents loudness levels at different frequencies, based on a reference level at 1 kHz.
68
What describes the variation of perceived loudness at different frequencies?
Equal Loudness Contour ## Footnote Equal loudness contours show how the human ear perceives different frequencies at the same loudness level.
69
What is a unit of perceived loudness based on human response?
Sone ## Footnote A sone quantifies perceived loudness, where 1 sone is equal to the loudness of a 1000 Hz tone at 40 dB.
70
What is the frequency range of human hearing?
Audio Frequency ## Footnote Audio frequency refers to sound waves within the range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, which is audible to humans.
71
What describes the amount of sound energy passing through an area?
Sound Intensity ## Footnote Sound intensity is the power per unit area of a sound wave, usually measured in watts per square meter.
72
What is the logarithmic measure of sound intensity?
Sound Intensity Level ## Footnote Sound intensity level is a logarithmic measure of sound intensity, expressed in decibels (dB).
73
What is a mathematical function used to express sound levels?
Logarithm ## Footnote A logarithm is a mathematical function that simplifies calculations of sound intensity and power levels.
74
What type of surface affects how sound is reflected?
Convex and Concave Surface ## Footnote Convex surfaces scatter sound outward, while concave surfaces focus sound into a single point, affecting acoustic quality.
75
scatter sound outward, reducing sound focus and improving diffusion
Convex Surface
76
focus sound into a single point, which can create echoes and unwanted sound concentration
Concave Surface

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