English for Specific Purposes

the audible range. Applications of infrasonics include the detection of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The way sound interacts with its surroundings being often complex, there are a few ideal sound wave behaviours fundamental to understanding acoustical design. Basic sound wave behaviours include absorption, reverberation, diffraction, and refraction. Absorption is the loss of energy occuring when a sound wave reflects off a surface. Just as light waves reflect off surfaces, sound waves also reflect off surfaces, and every reflection results in a loss of energy. Absorption refers both to the sound that transmits through and the energy dissipated by a material. Reverberation is the persistence of sound caused by repeated boundary reflections after the source of the sound stops. This principle is particularly important in enclosed spaces. In addition to reflecting off surfaces, sound waves also bend around surfaces in the path of the waves. This bending is known as diffraction. d) ______________

__________________________________________. Acoustical engineers apply these fundamental concepts, along with complex mathematical analysis, to control sound for a variety of applications. Acoustics as the scientific and “technical” background of acoustical engineering can be subdivided into several branches, among them being environmental acoustics, architectural acoustics and hydroacoustics. Environmental acoustics is concerned with the control of sound and vibrations in an outdoor environment. e) _________

__________________________________________. Architectural acoustics refers to the control of sound and vibrations within buildings. This branch of acoustical engineering applies to any enclosed areas like concert halls, office spaces, or ventilation ducts. Hydroacoustics is involved in the study and application of sound in water. This branch of acoustical engineering, utilizing SONAR technology, is most commonly used for the detection, assessment, and monitoring of underwater physical and biological characteristics.