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The specific patterns of deformation a structure goes through while vibrating. In acoustics, mode shapes affect sound production and are significant in the design of musical instruments and auditoriums.

The average rate of energy transfer per unit area in the direction of wave propagation. In acoustics, intensity helps to quantify the power of a sound wave and is directly tied to how we perceive the loudness of a sound.

The frequency at which a system oscillates when not subjected to a continuous or repeated external force. In acoustics, it's the specific frequency at which bodies naturally vibrate and is crucial in designing buildings, instruments, and sound equipment.

The response of a system when subjected to a time-varying external force. In acoustics, forced vibrations are involved in producing sound with loudspeakers and in understanding how structures respond to environmental noise.

A system of two or more oscillators that are linked in such a way that the vibrations of one affect the vibrations of the others. In acoustics, coupled oscillators can be used to model complex vibratory systems like multiple interconnected rooms or musical instruments.

The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the wave source. In acoustics, the Doppler effect is observed when the source or the listener is moving, affecting the perceived pitch of sounds, such as the shifting pitch of a passing siren.

The constraints applied to the edges of a vibrating system or acoustic medium. In acoustics, boundary conditions determine how waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted and are critical for understanding room acoustics and the design of acoustical treatment.

Graphical representation of the diminishing amplitude of a sound over time. In acoustics, the envelope of decay affects the perceived duration and fade-out of sounds in a space, which is an important consideration for room acoustics and sound design.

A dimensionless parameter that describes how underdamped an oscillator or resonator is; it is the ratio of the peak energy stored in the system to the energy lost per cycle. In acoustics, a high Q indicates narrow bandwidth and sustained oscillations, important for musical instrument design.

Waves which are the result of the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions. In acoustics, standing waves can cause uneven sound distribution in a room, leading to acoustical issues like dead spots or excessive reverberation.

A measure of the opposition that a system presents to the flow of an acoustic wave. In acoustics, impedance matching is key to efficiently transferring sound energy from one medium to another.

The ratio of the amplitude of the transmitted wave to the amplitude of the incident wave. In acoustics, transmissibility is important in studying how vibrations travel through different materials and in designing isolation systems.

A phenomenon that occurs when the frequency of a periodically applied force is equal to the natural frequency of the system, causing a dramatic increase in amplitude. In acoustics, resonance can lead to increased sound levels, which is beneficial in musical instruments but potentially harmful in structures.

Integral multiples of the fundamental frequency that enrich the timbre of sounds. In acoustics, harmonics are critical in determining the character and quality of a musical note or sound.

The frequencies produced when two sounds of nearly similar frequencies interfere with each other. In acoustics, beat frequencies can help in tuning instruments and in diagnosing undesirable vibration interactions.

The reduction in intensity of a sound wave as it propagates through a medium. In acoustics, attenuation is important for understanding how materials absorb and damp sound, influencing soundproofing and room acoustics.

The minimum amount of damping that prevents oscillation and allows the system to return to equilibrium as quickly as possible without overshooting. In acoustics, critical damping is key to preventing resonance in structures and ensuring stability.

A differential equation that describes the propagation of sound waves through a medium. In acoustics, it is used to predict how sound will behave in a given environment, which is essential for sound design and architectural acoustics. The equation is given by

A logarithmic measure of the pressure variation, relative to a reference pressure, caused by a sound wave. In acoustics, SPL is used to quantify loudness and is measured in decibels (dB).