Question

During takeoff, the sound intensity level of a jet engine is 170 dB at a distance of 40 m. What is the sound intensity level of the jet engine at a distance of 80 m?

1) 160 dB
2) 165 dB
3) 170 dB
4) 175 dB

Answer 1

The sound intensity level of the jet engine at a distance of 80 m is 176 dB.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the sound intensity level of the jet engine at a distance of 80 m, we can use the inverse square law for sound intensity. The inverse square law states that the sound intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.

Calculate the ratio of the two distances squared: (80 m)² / (40 m)² = 4.

Since the sound intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, the sound intensity level will increase by 6 dB for every doubling of the distance (logarithmic scale).

In this case, the distance has doubled from 40 m to 80 m, so the sound intensity level will increase by 6 dB.

Therefore, the sound intensity level of the jet engine at a distance of 80 m is 170 dB + 6 dB = 176 dB.