Final answer:
When the volume on an alarm clock is tripled, the increase in sound level will be less than 10 dB since each factor of 10 in intensity corresponds to 10 dB. Tripling the intensity is estimated to result in a slight increase in dB based on the principle that doubling intensity yields approximately a 3 dB rise. Common examples illustrate various dB levels for context, indicating the sound level related to different daily activities or sound sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sound intensity and sound levels within the field of physics. When the volume on an alarm clock is tripled to waken a sleeping child, we want to understand how this affects the sound level in decibels (dB). According to the information provided, we know that each factor of 10 in intensity corresponds to a change of 10 dB in sound level. If the intensity is tripled, it does not increase by a factor of 10, and thus, the increase in sound level will be less than 10 dB. To find the precise increase in dB, one could use the formula for sound intensity levels or check the reference table provided in the coursework material. However, a rough estimate based on the principle that doubling the intensity results in approximately a 3 dB increase would suggest that tripling it could lead to an increase slightly higher than 3 dB but certainly less than 10 dB, as tripling is not the same as increasing the magnitude by a power of ten.