Acoustic Waves in PhysicsAn acoustic wave can be simply described as a longitudinal wave. A longitudinal wave is a wave that vibrates and moves in the direction of its propagation. This means that the medium is in the same or opposite direction as the way the wave travels. Acoustic waves are a form of mechanical longitudinal waves; these waves are otherwise known as compression waves or compression waves. Compression waves obviously produce compression, decompression and rarefaction for travel. In physics, the acoustic wave has an equation to describe the evolution of acoustic pressure and particle velocity as a function. The general equation is: Acoustic waves have multiple equations, but this version is the simplified form. In a simplified acoustic wave equation there is only one spatial dimension. In other more complex equations there is the possibility of two or perhaps even three dimensions. [5] The letter “p” in the general form equation pictured above is to show sound pressure. The letter “c” represents the speed of sound. Both sound pressure and speed of sound are key ingredients to describe the behavior of sound in matter. A solution for this particular acoustic wave equation is: "F" and "g" both show two twice differentiable functions, and "c" again, is the speed of sound. [5]After reading the first few paragraphs you may wonder why acoustic waves are so important in normal life or "why on earth would I need this equation?" Acoustic waves are important because sound is everywhere around us. When you think of the word “acoustic” a few words may come to mind. Guitars, stereos and many other objects involve acoustic waves. For example, when the bass of a stereo is at maximum, you are at the center of the card, it transmits the waves from one direction but as soon as it reflects them it blocks them from the other. [1]Many people hear both terms, acoustic and sound waves, and think they are basically the same thing. This appears not to be true because sound waves have no polarization. [3] The reason they have no polarization is because sound waves oscillate in the same directions they move. This means that sound waves cannot reflect while acoustic waves can. For example, when you are in a dome-shaped building, the acoustics allow you to hear an echo or projection of noise from across the room. There isn't much information on acoustic waves but it was interesting to research this topic. What little I found was really interesting and I'm happy to have written this essay on such a topic. Acoustic waves are everywhere around us and are important in science.