Sound: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #451

by Mike Goldsmith

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.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Physics, Music

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2015

About the author

Dr. Mike Goldsmith studied the philosophy of time and space at Keele University, where he also obtained his PhD in astrophysics. He was formerly the head of Acoustics at the UK's National Physical Laboratory and is now an author of nonfiction books for children.

Reviews

[Julen Eccleston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little book on all about the different domains, applications, hearing and production of sound. The covered breadth and depth is excellent, my main criticism would be the lack of more introductory/pedagogical build up of discussed topics. Then again, it is meant to be a very short introduction, so this may just be down to personal preference. Overall, enjoyable quick read and recommended to anyone who works with sound in any major way and wants to know more about the topic.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having never taken a real physics class this was a helpful little primer on the basics of how sound works and ways in which it has been deployed to human’s advantage and to our detriment.

[Daniel Muleady · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was mid