Final answer:
The sound intensity of a 96 dB sound is typically around 10^-2 W/m^2. However, this answer is not among the provided options, which likely indicates a discrepancy in the question or answer choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The loudness of a sound in decibels (dB) can be converted to its sound intensity in watts per meter squared (W/m2) using a reference intensity level. The reference intensity level (I0) for human hearing is 10-12 W/m2, which is equivalent to 0 dB. To find the sound intensity that corresponds to 96 dB, we employ the formula:
Intensity (I) = I0 × 10(ß/10)
where ß is the sound level in dB, and I0 is 10-12 W/m2. Plugging in 96 dB, we get:
I = 10-12 W/m2 × 10(96/10)
I = 10-12 W/m2 × 109.6
Which gives us:
I ≈ 10-2.4 W/m2
After evaluating 10-2.4, we find that it approximates to 10-2 or 0.01 W/m2. However, none of the given options A, B, C, or D match this calculation, suggesting there might be a mistake in the question or the given options. Typically, a sound intensity of 96dB is closer to 10-2 W/m2, which is none of the options provided in the question.