B3.25
Part II, 2003
Derive the wave equation governing the velocity potential for linearised sound in a perfect gas. How is the pressure disturbance related to the velocity potential? Write down the spherically symmetric solution to the wave equation with time dependence , which is regular at the origin.
A high pressure gas is contained, at density , within a thin metal spherical shell which makes small amplitude spherically symmetric vibrations. Ignore the low pressure gas outside. Let the metal shell have radius , mass per unit surface area, and elastic stiffness which tries to restore the radius to its equilibrium value with a force per unit surface area. Show that the frequency of these vibrations is given by