Question

The noise from a power mower was measured at 106 dB. The noise level at a rock concert was measured at 115 dB. Find the ratio of the intensity of the rock music to that of the power mower. (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.)

Answer 1

Answer:

= 8

Explanation:

noise from power mower = 106 dB

noise from rock concert = 115 dB

we would be applying the formula for the decibel level of sound to get the intensities.

(B) = 10 log \frac{I}{I₀}

I = intensity of sound

I₀= reference intensity = 10^{-12} W/m^{2}

• intensity of the power mower

106 = 10 log \frac{I}{10^{-12}}

10.6 =  log \frac{I}{10^{-12}}

10^{10.6} = \frac{I}{10^{-12}}

I = 10^{10.6} x 10^{-12}

I of power mower = 0.0398 W/m^{2}

• intensity of the rock music

115 = 10 log \frac{I}{10^{-12}}

11.5 =  log \frac{I}{10^{-12}}

10^{11.5} = \frac{I}{10^{-12}}

I = 10^{11.5}  x 10^{-12}

I of rock music = 0.316 W/m^{2}

now the ratio of the intensity of the rock music to the power mower

= \frac{0.316}{0.0398}

= 8