10. Psychophysical characteristics of sound Psychophysical parameters of sound
Covers the link between the physical properties of sound and how people perceive them, starting with frequency, wavelength, intensity and pressure alongside loudness, pitch and timbre. It then distinguishes tones, noises and sonic booms, and gives the hearing range, intensity and sound level definitions, audiometry, frequency and spatial resolution, the physiology of hearing and voice, and medical and noise-protection applications such as percussion and ultrasound.
Topic 11 of 42 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Physics (Medicine, Year 1). The free AceMed note covers it in 9 sections, about 289 words (2 min of reading), with 19 flashcards.
In this note
Psychophysical Characteristics of Sound
Definition
Psychophysical Parameters
Types of Sound
Key Concepts
Audiometry & Hearing Assessment
Resolution Abilities
Physiology of Sound
Applications in Medicine & Protection
Definition
Psychophysical acoustics deals with the relationship between the physical parameters of sound (frequency, wavelength, intensity, pressure) and their subjective perception by humans (loudness, pitch, timbre).
Psychophysical Parameters
Objective (Physical) Characteristics:
Frequency (f): Number of oscillations per second (Hz). Determines pitch.
Wavelength (λ): Distance a wave travels during one oscillation (λ = v/f).
Intensity (I): Energy per unit area per unit time (W/m²).
Sound Pressure (P): Root mean square variation in pressure due to the sound wave.
Subjective (Perceptual) Characteristics:
Sound Level (Loudness): Perceived magnitude of sound, measured in decibels (dB).
Pitch: Human perception of frequency.
Timbre: Quality or color of sound that distinguishes sources with the same pitch and loudness (e.g., violin vs. flute).
Types of Sound
Tones:
Simple: One frequency.
Complex: Combination of multiple harmonics.
Acoustic Resistance (Za) = ρ × c (density × velocity of sound).
Noises: Irregular sound waves with broad frequency spectrum.
Intensity I = (P_{max}^2) / Z_a.
Sonic Booms: Produced when an object moves faster than sound; wavelength λ = c/f.
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