Answer:
If sound intensity increases by a factor of 10, the decibel reading increases by 10.
Step-by-step explanation:
Decibel scale:
In order to express levels of sound meaningfully in numbers that are more manageable, a logarithmic scale is used, rather than a linear one. This scale is the decibel scale. every increase of 3 dB represents a doubling of sound intensity.
Increase in decibel scale is given by the formula:
n = 10*log(Increased Intensity of sound/Original Intensity of Sound
n = 10*log(I/I₀)
In our case the sound intensity increases by a factor of 10. So I/I₀ increased by 10 times and will be 10 I/I₀
n = 10*log(10 I/I₀)
n = 10*log(10) + 10log(I/I₀)
n = 10 + 10*log(I/I₀)
This shows that the decibel reading is increased by 10 points.