SYMBOLS USED IN THIS BOOK

a radius of diaphragm (mm); acceleration (m/s2)

A ampere (unit of electrical current)
AF audio frequency
c speed of sound (334 m/s at normal temperature)
⬚C temperature (degrees celsius)
d distance (m)
dB relative level (decibel)
dB(A) A-weighted sound pressure level
dBu signal voltage level (re 0.775 volt rms)
DC critical distance (m)
DI directivity index (dB)
E voltage (volt dc)
e(t) signal voltage (volt rms)
f frequency in hertz (s–1)
HF high frequency
Hz frequency (hertz, cycles per second)
I acoustical intensity (W/m2)
I dc electrical current, ampere (Q/s)
i(t) signal current (ampere rms)
I0 mechanical moment of inertia (kg ⫻ m2)
j complex algebraic operator, equal to 兹 ⫺ 1
k wave number (2␲/␭)
kg mass, kilogram (SI base unit)
⬚K temperature (degrees kelvin, SI base unit)
LF low frequency
LP sound pressure level (dB re 20 ␮Pa)
LR reverberant sound pressure level (dB re 20 ␮Pa)
LN noise sound pressure level (dB re 20 ␮Pa)
m meter (SI base unit)
MF mid frequency
mm millimeter (m ⫻ 10–3)
␮m micrometer or micron (m ⫻ 10–6)
Symbols Used in This Book xi

M microphone system sensitivity, mV/Pa

MD capacitor microphone base diaphragm sensitivity, V/Pa
N force, newton (kg, m/s2)
p; p(t) rms sound pressure (N/m2)
P power (watt)
Q electrical charge (coulombs, SI base unit)
Q directivity factor
r distance from sound source (m)
R, ⍀ electrical resistance (ohm)
R room constant (m3 or ft3)
RE random efficiency of microphone (also REE)
RF radio frequency
RH relative humidity (%)
s second (SI base unit)
S surface area (m2)
T torque (N ⫻ m)
T, t time (s)
T magnetic flux density (tesla)
T60 reverberation time (seconds)
T0 diaphragm tension (newton/meter)
torr atmospheric pressure; equal to mm of mercury (mmHg), or
133.322 Pa (Note: 760 torr is equal to normal atmospheric
pressure at 0⬚C)
u; u(t) air particle rms velocity (m/s)
U, U(t) air volume rms velocity (m3/s)
x(t) air particle displacement (m/s)
X mechanical, acoustical, or electrical reactance (⍀)
V electrical voltage (voltage or potential)
Z mechanical, acoustical or electrical resistance (⍀)
␣ average absorption coefficient (dimensionless)
␭ wavelength of sound in air (m)
␾ phase, phase shift (degrees or radians)
␳ dependent variable in polar coordinates
␳0 density of air (1.18 kg/m3)
␳0c specific acoustical impedance of air (415 SI rayls)
␪ angle (degrees or radians), independent variable in polar
coordinates
␻ 2␲f (angular frequency in radians/s)
␴m surface mass density (kg/m2)