Spreading Loss and Attenuation in Classical Physics: Lessons from Underwater Acoustics

Abstract

All classical wave propagation is characterized by spreading loss and attenuation of the medium. Although initially high, the rate of spreading loss decreases rapidly with range while the rate of attenuation remains constant. In underwater acoustics, it has been found that when the attenuation loss becomes dominant a 'curtain effect' can exist resulting in rapidly increasing propagation loss. A mathematical expression for this condition is derived. (Author) Keywords: Charts; Graphs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 26, 1987
Accession Number
ADA183052

Entities

People

  • David G. Browning
  • Paul D. Scully-power

Organizations

  • Naval Underwater Systems Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Acoustic Waves
  • Acoustics
  • Attenuation
  • Availability
  • Classification
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Losses
  • New England
  • Physics
  • Radio Frequency
  • Rhode Island
  • Sea Water
  • Underwater Acoustics
  • Wave Equations
  • Waves

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.