Acoustic Levitation: Wave Principle

Simple and Cool Physics

We must have thought once that song can be used to live objects. 

Acoustic Levitation

There has been a big advancement in technology. 

Listen to the Post

How does Acoustic Levitation work? 

Acoustic Levitation is also known as Ultrasonic levitation.

Sound is the vibration the travels through a medium like Solid, Liquid, and Gas. 

If we strike a bell, the bell vibrates in the air and it produces sound. 

Sound

The sound consists of reflection and compression. 

Basically, Acoustic Levitation consists of 2 main parts: 

A Transducer: Transducer produces the sound and the reflected waves of the produced sound from the source.

Reflector: Reflectors interfere with each other and forms a standing wave.

Physics: Behind the Scene

There are 2 types of interference: We all might have learned this terminology in our schools!

• If the two amplitudes have the same sign, they will add to form or
  
  

  Combine wave with higher amplitude this is called constructive interference 

  
  
• If the two amplitudes have an opposite sign they will subtract to form or 
  
  

  Combine waves with lower amplitude this is called destructive interference

Standing wave is the interference pattern formed by the sound from the source and the reflector. 

Standing wave consists of:

1. Node 
2. Anti Node

Note: Node has higher pressure than the anti-node. 

Representation

The distance between the source and the reflector must be exactly the multiple of half of the wavelength to form the standing wave. 

Mathematically,
d = λ/2

where, 
d = distance between the source and the reflector, and
λ = wavelength 

Loudness of the sound wave is 160 decibels

Since it is an Ultrasonic Sound, we as humans are unable to hear the sound.

Why Standing Waves:

If we put an object in between the node and the anti-node. 

Two pressures act on it from above and below the pressure from anti-node acting above is lower than that of node acting from below. 

Mathematically,
f ∝ P

where, 
f = force
P = pressure

The force below is greater than above thus there is net force acting apart

What if, f = w

where, 
f = force
w = weight of the body

If net force is equal to the weight of the body then the Body Levitates 

Levitate

Applications of Acoustic Levitation:

Acoustic levitation can be used to store rigorous high purity materials. 

Which are highly reactive when in contact with any container.

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