Sound pressure
| Sound measurements | |
|---|---|
Characteristic | Symbols |
| Sound pressure | p, SPL, LPA |
| Particle velocity | v, SVL |
| Particle displacement | δ |
| Sound intensity | I, SIL |
| Sound power | P, SWL, LWA |
| Sound energy | W |
| Sound energy density | w |
| Sound exposure | E, SEL |
| Acoustic impedance | Z |
| Audio frequency | AF |
| Transmission loss | TL |
Sound pressure or acoustic pressure is the local pressure deviation from the ambient (average or equilibrium) atmospheric pressure, caused by a sound wave. In air, sound pressure can be measured using a microphone, and in water with a hydrophone. The SI unit of sound pressure is the pascal (Pa).