Free Acoustic Impedance Calculator

Calculate the characteristic acoustic impedance of a medium: Z = rho * c, where rho is density and c is the speed of sound.

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kg/m3
m/s

Acoustic Impedance

420.18 Pa s/m (Rayl)

Acoustic Impedance vs Medium Density

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Characteristic Acoustic Impedance

Acoustic impedance determines how much sound pressure results from a given particle velocity in a medium.

Formula

Z = rho * c

  • *rho* = medium density (kg/m3)
  • *c* = speed of sound in the medium (m/s)

    • Air: about 415 Rayl. Water: about 1.48 million Rayl. Large impedance mismatches cause strong reflections at boundaries.

    Example Calculation

    Air at sea level (rho = 1.225 kg/m3, c = 343 m/s).

    1. 01Z = rho * c
    2. 02Z = 1.225 * 343
    3. 03Z = 420.2 Rayl

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