Sound energy is _____ intense at the focal point.

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Multiple Choice

Sound energy is _____ intense at the focal point.

Explanation:
When sound waves are focused, the energy is packed into a much smaller region, so the energy per unit area goes up. Intensity is defined as power per area, and the same total acoustic power passes through the focus but over a smaller cross-section, which increases the intensity. The pressure variations at the focus are also larger because the converging waves add together more constructively, and intensity is proportional to the square of the pressure amplitude. So the focal point proves to be more intense than elsewhere.

When sound waves are focused, the energy is packed into a much smaller region, so the energy per unit area goes up. Intensity is defined as power per area, and the same total acoustic power passes through the focus but over a smaller cross-section, which increases the intensity. The pressure variations at the focus are also larger because the converging waves add together more constructively, and intensity is proportional to the square of the pressure amplitude. So the focal point proves to be more intense than elsewhere.

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