Physical Acoustics
Fysisk akustik

BMEN45F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2023
Decided by: Maria Sandsten
Date of establishment: 2023-05-23

General Information

Division: Biomedical Engineering
Course type: Course given jointly for second and third cycle
The course is also given at second-cycle level with course code: BMEN45
Teaching language: English

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide fundamental knowledge about mathematical and physical methods that are routinely applied in research and industry to model acoustics, i.e., linear wave or vibrational, phenomena. Knowledge on several topics in basic mechanics, linear wave propagation, and discrete oscillating systems will be provided. The course aims at providing the capability to devise simple models of those vibrational phenomena and describe them in a mathematical language, which allows the students to derive simple solutions either numerically or analytically. The knowledge forms a thorough foundation of the physics that is applied in different applications of acoustics. This course also has the purpose to prepare the students for diploma work or Ph.D. research in the relevant fields.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the basic physical and mathematical principles used in physical acoustics.
• Understand how the axioms of mechanics lead to the wave equation.
• Be able to interpret the analytically derived results from a physics point of view.
• Establish a satisfactory overview of the technical applications of acoustics.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Be able to solve the wave equation analytically in simple cases.
• Be able to read, understand, summarize, and discuss scientific papers in physical acoustics.
• Be able to formulate and solve problems in acoustics numerically and analytically.
• Be able to apply numerical tools to model problems in acoustics.

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must be able to judge the quality of a theoretical/numerical analysis of an acoustical phenomenon.

Course Contents

Discrete systems, wave equation, plane waves, spherical waves, cylindrical waves, transducers, nonlinear acoustics, finite element method, applications.

Course Literature

• Blackstock, David T.: Fundamentals of Physical Acoustics. John Wiley & Sons, 2000. ISBN 9780471319795.
• Kinsler, Lawrence E., Frey, Austin R., Coppens, Alan B. & Sanders, James V.: Fundamentals of Acoustics. John Wiley & Sons, 2000. ISBN 9780471847892.

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, exercises, project. numerical laboratory exercises

Examination Details

Examination formats: Oral exam, written assignments. Completed laboratory work with approved laboratory report, approved mini-project report and presentation.
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Assumed prior knowledge: Fundamental knowledge in mathematics and physics, including single variable and multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and classical mechanics.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:

• Thierry Baasch <thierry.baasch@bme.lth.se>
• Wei Qiu <wei.qiu@bme.lth.se>