Physical Acoustics and Psychoacoustics

Knowledge of 9th grade physics and mathematics.

The methodology used is defined by the following items:

a) exposure of the contents by the teacher using audiovisual material; b) systematization of theoretical and practical knowledge: resolution of issues and problems; c) laboratory experiments and demonstrations in the classroom performed by the teacher and students with specialized hardware and software; d) study visits (scientific and musical events; Acoustics laboratories).

Students may choose between two types of assessment: continuous/periodic assessment or exam. The continuous/periodic assessment will focus on acoustic experiments and demonstrations, and class participation (65%) + test (35%). The assessment by exam (100%) will be made through written and oral test (the latter, if the classification in the written test is between 7,5 and 9,4 values).

The learning outcomes of this curricular unit are:

a) know the sound and its characteristics;
b) know the various forms of sound production;
c) learn to distinguish between a pure sound and a complex sound;
d) know theoretical and experimental methods of analysis of sounds;
e) know methods of synthesis of sounds;
f) know handle acoustic instrumentation of sound analysis and synthesis; g) understand the role of the various components and properties related to sound propagation;
h) understand acoustic phenomena in the field of music practice and other everyday situations;
i) understand the application of the resonance effect in musical instruments and audio equipment;
j) know the human auditory system and the hearing process, including the mechanisms of information processing in the central nervous system;
k) identify the physical and psychological characteristics of sound;
l) know the benefits of binaural hearing;
m) understand the connection between music and mathematics.

I. PHYSICAL ACOUSTICS

PRODUCTION OF SOUND
module 1
a) Sound and sound sources.
b) Simple vibrating systems.
c) Complex vibrations.
d) Characteristics of the sound.
e) Acoustic instrumentation.
f) Introduction to sound synthesis.

PROPAGATION OF SOUND
Module 2
a) Waves and wave propagation.
b) Sound waves. Speed of sound.
c) Energy characteristics: Power. Intensity. Pressure. Sound levels and decibel.
d) Properties of sound waves: absorption, reflection, diffraction, refraction and interference (Beats).
e) Doppler effect.

RESONANCE
module 3
a) Resonance in vibrating systems.
b) Standing waves.

II. PSYCHOACOUSTICS

HUMAN AUDITORY SYSTEM AND HEARING PROCESS
module 4
a) The range of hearing. Ultrasound and infrasound.
b) Peripheral auditory anatomy and physiology. Signal processing and central auditory nervous system.

PERCEPTION OF SOUND
module 5
a) Loudness.
b) Pitch.
c) Timbre.
d) Binaural hearing and localization.

• - Exam - 100.0%

• - Frequency - 35.0%
• - Attendance and Participation - 65.0%

NAO

dos Santos-Luiz, C. (2021.) Sound intensity and loudness of musical tones. In L. C. Castilho, R. Dias, & J. F. Pinho (Eds.), Perspectives on music, sound and musicology: Research, education and practice (pp. 169-188). Springer Nature.

Everest, F. A., & Pohlmann, K. C. (2021). Master handbook of acoustics (7th ed.) McGraw-Hill.

Hatsidimitris, G., & Wolfe, J. (2012). Physclips: Multimedia resources for learning and teaching physics. 2nd International STEM in Education Conference. Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.

Henrique, L. L. (2014). Acústica musical (5ª ed.). Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.

Houtsma, A. J. M., Rossing, T. D., Wagenaars, W. M. (1989). Auditory demonstrations [CD]. Acoustical Society of America.

Howard, D. M., & Angus, J. A. S. (2017). Acoustics and psychoacoustics (5th ed.). Focal Press.

Rossing, T. D., Moore, F. R., & Wheeler, P. A. (2002). The science of sound (3rd ed.). Addison-Wesley.