Join us for the Future of Oceans lecture “Did You Hear That? The Physics of Sound”.

Presented by Eric McRae
Principal Electrical Engineer, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory

This talk will cover the basics of sound creation, propagation and perception, both in air and in water. You’ll learn how we hear, the role of sound in how bats and Orca locate their food, and some peculiar characteristics of sound that are often experienced but rarely understood. Finally, there will also be a discussion about those noisy ships and jets. You will gain an understanding about sound that you can use in your daily life and a better appreciation for the acoustic environment in which we and our undersea neighbors live.

Eric McRae is a Principal Electrical Engineer at the UW’s Applied Physics Laboratory. For the last 13 years, he has spearheaded the design and operation of the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s Regional Cabled Array Shallow Profilers which are reactive machines that operate autonomously undersea for a year at a time. He has also designed control software for aircraft, spacecraft, automobiles and other autonomous underwater vehicles.

To keep this series accessible to all, regardless of the ability to pay, there is no set charge for the event; however, donations are always welcomed and appreciated.

Our lecture series, The Future of Oceans, draws on the commitment of professional researchers and educators across all academic spectrums to help define and inspire the health of our oceans.

To see the full lecture series for 2024-2025, visit our Lectures page.

Thanks to the Darrow Family for their ongoing support.