Question

If audible sound follows a rule of thumb similar to that for ultrasound, in terms of its absorption, would you expect the high or low frequencies from your neighbor’s stereo to penetrate into your house? How does this expectation compare with your experience?

Short answer

Only the low frequencies will penetrate our house. I experienced a low-frequency penetration.

Step-by-step solution

The absorption

The high-frequency sound has a high absorption rate and hence will be absorbed by the walls of the house. Whereas the low-frequency sound has a low rate of absorption, thus it will penetrate the walls of the house.

Explanation

The neighbor's stereo emits both the high and the low frequencies. According to the law of absorption, the low frequencies of the waves will be received in my house.

I experienced a low-frequency penetration.