Sound Physics

Textbook by

James G. McLean
State University of New York, College at Geneseo

Available for download in parts.  This textbook is currently undergoing minor revisions before being officially published.  Later parts will be posted either when revisions are complete, or when we need them for class.

These PDFs provide the PDF "Table of Contents" feature; if you open that feature in your PDF reader, you can jump directly to a particular chapter.

If you want a hard copy of the book, you can print these PDFs.  The total length is roughly 280 pages, which at CIT printing rates would cost less than $25 (most pages are not color).  I recommend printing each Part only as you need it.  There will be sections that you do not need for the course this semester.

Table of Contents

Part A: Physics & Sound, Chapters 1–4

Part B: Movement of Sound, Chapters 5–9

Part C: Vibration & Oscillation, Chapters 10–35

Part D: Characterizing Sound, Chapters 36–62

Part E: Hearing & Psychoacoustics, Chapters 63–87

Part F: Shaping Sound, Chapters 88–111

Part G: Traveling Waves, Chapters 112–150

Part H: Multidimensional Waves, Chapters 151–175

Part I: Standing Waves, Chapters 176–187

Part J: Musical Instruments, Chapters 188–213

Bibliography