Non-linear acoustics governs high-pressure waves like shocks and cavitation

Evidence

Physical acoustics contains many subfields and requires concepts that are not discussed above. General linear acoustics deals with sound and vibration in fluids (gases and liquids) and solid materials with different geometries and structures, assuming that the condition of linearity (Section 3.2.1) is valid. If an acoustic system is non-linear, it is typically much more difficult to study. The subfield of non-linear acoustics deals with waves having high pressure levels, such as shock waves (Pierce, 1989; Raspet, 1997) and cavitation (Lauterborn, 1997). — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 309

Categorization

• DEFINE: Contrasts linear vs non-linear acoustics domains, naming shock waves and cavitation.