Akust

Akust is a term used in several languages to denote the science and engineering of sound, commonly called acoustics in English. It covers how sound is generated, transmitted through media, perceived by listeners, and influenced by environments and materials.

The field spans multiple subdisciplines. Physical acoustics studies wave propagation, speed of sound, attenuation and dispersion in air, liquids, and solids. Architectural acoustics designs spaces for clear speech and listening comfort. Musical acoustics analyzes instrument sound production and perceptual listening. Psychoacoustics investigates the neural and perceptual aspects of hearing. Underwater acoustics and environmental acoustics address sonar, ocean sound, noise control, and regulatory limits.

Measurements and methods include sound pressure level, frequency analysis, and reverberation time RT60, as well as impedance measurements and beamforming. Experimental techniques use microphones, accelerometers, and hydrophones, while models rely on Fourier analysis, wave equations, and numerical simulations. Practical applications span loudspeaker design, room and hall acoustics, telecommunication, medical ultrasound, nondestructive testing, and industrial sensing.

The history of acoustics traces early observations of sound and harmony to modern physics. In the 19th century, Hermann von Helmholtz and Lord Rayleigh contributed foundational theory, while Fourier analysis enabled precise descriptions of waves. The field expanded with advances in materials science, digital signal processing, and computational modeling.

Etymology and usage: The term “akust” appears in several languages as a form of acoustics, while in English the direct term is acoustics or acoustic for related topics.