If the Sound Absorption Coefficient is 0.6, what percentage of sound is absorbed?

The Sound Absorption Coefficient is a measure that indicates how much sound is absorbed when it encounters a material. This coefficient ranges from 0 to 1, where 0 means no sound is absorbed and 1 means all sound is absorbed. A coefficient of 0.6 means that 60% of the incident sound energy is absorbed by the material. Therefore, if the Sound Absorption Coefficient is 0.6, it signifies that 60% of the sound is absorbed, meaning the remaining sound (40%) is either reflected or transmitted. This interpretation is fundamental in fields like acoustics and industrial hygiene, where understanding sound absorption can impact decisions related to noise control and environmental health.