Sound

Sound is integral to how we experience the world, in the form of noise as well as music. But what is sound? What is the physical basis of pitch and harmony? And how are sound waves exploited in musical instruments?

In this Very Short Introduction Mike Goldsmith looks at the science of sound and explores sound in different contexts, covering the audible and inaudible, sound underground and underwater, accoustic and electric, and hearing in humans and animals. He also considers the problem of sound out of place - noise and its reduction.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Sound is integral to how we experience the world, in the form of noise as well as music. But what is sound? What is the physical basis of pitch and harmony? And how are sound waves exploited in musical instruments? In this book Mike Goldsmith looks at the science of sound and explores sound in different contexts, covering the audible and inaudible, sound underground and underwater, acoustic and electric, and hearing in humans and animals. He also considers the problem of sound out of place - noise and its reduction.

Wow! This book is nice...and cute...I highly recommend this book. Perhaps this is the best general book discussing acoustics in a very elementary sense. - Richard J. Peppin, Rion Co. Ltd. and Engineers for Change, Inc.

The book has something for everyone, and the author has done a remarkable job in assembling so much information and condensing it into a truly pocket-size edition. I do not know of another title that covers so much about sound in a nontechnical yet scientific manner. - Michael Greenfield, Physics Today

Sound: A Very Short Introduction contains an excellent balance of science and story, and illuminates the reader about many facets of this broad topic. -- Ray Eddy, H-Podcast