Simple Explanation

A sound source that radiates sound equally in all directions from a single point, with no dispersion of sound across its surface.

Concise Technical Definition

A point source is a theoretical or practical source of sound that emits sound waves in all directions from a single point. In acoustics, it is assumed to radiate sound spherically, with the sound waves spreading out evenly across its surface.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Imagine a tiny lightbulb in the center of a room, shining light equally in all directions. A point source works similarly, sending sound waves out evenly in all directions from one location.

Industry Usage Summary

Point sources are idealized in acoustics and used as a reference in sound measurements and simulations. In practice, many loudspeakers are approximations of point sources, especially those that emit sound from a single location. Point-source behavior is important for understanding how sound spreads and behaves in different environments, especially in room acoustics and speaker design.

Engineering Shortcut

A sound source that radiates sound uniformly in all directions from a single point.

Full Technical Explanation

A point source in acoustics refers to a sound source that emits sound waves uniformly in all directions, often represented as a theoretical point in space. This model assumes the sound radiates spherically, with the intensity of sound decreasing as the distance from the source increases. Point sources are used as reference models for understanding sound propagation in various environments. While real-world sources, like speakers, are not perfect point sources, many loudspeakers are designed to approximate this behavior, radiating sound from a single point or small area to minimize dispersion and provide uniform coverage. Point-source behavior is important in designing speaker systems, particularly for ensuring even sound distribution across a room.