Wind refraction and humidity structure alter sound propagation in air
Evidence
Sound propagation in air depends on air pressure, humidity, and the presence of wind. Wind creates a sort of downwind refraction, an acoustic shadow, so wind at 4 m/s/km creates the effect of a temperature of 7.5 C (Table 9.1). In freshwater, at 20 C, the speed of sound is approximately 1.482 m/s (5,335 km/h, or 3.315 mph). In saltwater that is free of air bubbles or suspended sediment, sound travels at about 1,560 m/s. — Almo Farina, Soundscape Ecology, 1895
Categorization
- XREF: Direct acoustic cause behind the several ch3-ch16 findings that wind and turbulence suppress and degrade animal signals. — connects to: Quieter atmosphere at dawn boosts acoustic transmission, favoring chorus timing. — Almo Farina, Soundscape Ecology: Principles,…, 1735; Climate shapes signal propagation through humidity and temperature-dependent sound absorption — Almo Farina, Soundscape Ecology: Principles,…, 756; Wind gradients refract sound toward slow regions and extend its range (+5 more)
Broader Connections
- Wind gradients refract sound toward slow regions and extend its range
#expands(0.98) - Wind speed gradients, not wind itself, refract sound and break reciprocity
#expands(0.97) - Wind gradients bend sound waves and explain downwind audibility
#expands(0.95) - Sound refracts toward slower-speed regions over long outdoor distances
#expands(0.95) — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 172 - Wind bends sound waves because air velocity changes with height
#expands(0.93) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 340 - Atmospheric physics creates striking asymmetries in how sound travels
#expands(0.80)