The analogy between acoustic waves and water surface waves with refraction

Abstract

The similarity between acoustic waves in an inhomogeneous medium and water surface waves with variable water depth is established. The two systems are analogous if they both are characterized by the same index of refraction field. Based on this analogy, acoustic refraction problems are treated by utilizing a surface wave simulation achieved with a water wave tank. Experimental results obtained from the wave tank for various situations are used to deduce the behavior of the corresponding acoustic systems. It is concluded that there are two major advantages in employing a water wave tank. The first is that the entire wavefront configuration can visually be observed; the second is that water surface waves can be investigated in the laboratory much more readily and more economically than acoustic waves.