A potpourri of homework and test problems inspired by published research and/or classroom demonstrations

Abstract

Fundamental engineering and physics topics in an acoustics course can be made more relevant and interesting when applied to problems involving real-world scenarios, both from technical apparatus and from the natural world. This presentation will highlight several “fun” homework and test problems inspired by reading acoustics journal papers or data collected during a classroom demonstration. For example: tree crickets cut holes in leaves to convert the ineffective sound radiation from a dipole source into a much more effective baffled monopole. Spiders locate prey on their webs by comparing arrival times between transverse and longitudinal waves in web fibers; a related problem can be modeled as a fixed-fixed string with a point-mass load (originally posed by Lord Rayleigh). A compound string presents a challenging boundary value problem, with theoretical results easily compared to animations and physical demonstrations and application to musical instruments. Deceptively “simple” demonstrations of standing waves in open pipes and Helmholtz resonators can be used to estimate damping losses and mass loading. Measured data from a tuning fork spectrum can lead students to evaluate appropriate boundary condition choices. Additional examples will be discussed as time allows.