1. What is the Decibel Scale?

The decibel (dB) scale is a logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity levels. It compares the intensity of a sound to a reference intensity (I₀ = 10⁻¹² W/m²), which is approximately the threshold of human hearing.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the decibel formula:

Where:

• \( L \) — Sound level in decibels (dB)
• \( I \) — Measured sound intensity (W/m²)
• \( I_0 \) — Reference intensity (10⁻¹² W/m²)

Explanation: The logarithmic scale compresses the wide range of sound intensities that humans can hear into a more manageable numerical range.

3. Importance of Sound Level Measurement

Details: Accurate sound level measurement is crucial for noise pollution assessment, hearing protection, audio engineering, and environmental monitoring to prevent hearing damage and ensure acoustic comfort.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the sound intensity in watts per square meter (W/m²). The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will compute the corresponding decibel level.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the reference intensity I₀?
A: I₀ = 10⁻¹² W/m² is the standard reference intensity, which represents the threshold of human hearing at 1000 Hz.

Q2: What are typical decibel levels for common sounds?
A: Whisper: 30 dB, Normal conversation: 60 dB, City traffic: 85 dB, Rock concert: 110 dB, Jet engine: 140 dB.

Q3: Why use a logarithmic scale for sound?
A: Human perception of sound intensity is logarithmic, not linear. The decibel scale better matches how we perceive changes in loudness.

Q4: What is the maximum safe exposure level?
A: OSHA recommends no more than 8 hours at 90 dB, 2 hours at 100 dB, or 15 minutes at 115 dB without hearing protection.

Q5: How does distance affect sound intensity?
A: Sound intensity decreases with the square of the distance from the source. Doubling the distance reduces intensity by 6 dB.