What happens to the sound level when the intensity of a sound is doubled?

What happens to the sound level when the intensity of a sound is doubled?

• A. It increases by 3 dB
• B. It increases by 6 dB
• C. It decreases by 3 dB
• D. It remains unchanged

Answer: (B)

When the intensity of a sound is doubled, the sound level increases by 3 decibels (dB). This is based on the logarithmic relationship between sound intensity and sound level as measured in decibels. Sound intensity, which is a measure of the power per unit area carried by the sound wave, is expressed in watts per square meter (W/m²). The decibel scale is logarithmic, specifically defined by the equation: \[ L = 10 \log_{10} \left( \frac{I}{I_0} \right) \] where \(L\) is the sound level in decibels, \(I\) is the intensity of the sound, and \(I_0\) is a reference intensity, typically taken as \(10^{-12} \text{ W/m}²\). When you double the intensity from \(I\) to \(2I\), the change in sound level can be calculated as follows: \[ L_{new} = 10 \log_{10} \left( \frac{2I}{I_0} \right) = 10 \log_{10} \left( 2 \right) + 10 \log_{

When the intensity of a sound is doubled, the sound level increases by 3 decibels (dB). This is based on the logarithmic relationship between sound intensity and sound level as measured in decibels.

Sound intensity, which is a measure of the power per unit area carried by the sound wave, is expressed in watts per square meter (W/m²). The decibel scale is logarithmic, specifically defined by the equation:

[

L = 10 \log_{10} \left( \frac{I}{I_0} \right)

]

where (L) is the sound level in decibels, (I) is the intensity of the sound, and (I_0) is a reference intensity, typically taken as (10^{-12} \text{ W/m}²).

When you double the intensity from (I) to (2I), the change in sound level can be calculated as follows:

[

L_{new} = 10 \log_{10} \left( \frac{2I}{I_0} \right) = 10 \log_{10} \left( 2 \right) + 10 \log_{