Final answer:
A graphic representation of sound pressure level illustrates gauge pressure versus distance, showing varying sound intensities and corresponding pressures. It's measured in decibels, a logarithmic scale, which can vary greatly between air and water environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
A graphic representation of a sound pressure level or voltage level as it moves through a medium is often depicted in graphs showing variables such as gauge pressure versus distance from the source. These graphs can express the relationship between sound intensity and pressure variations. The sound intensity level is typically measured in decibels (dB) and represents the logarithmic scale of the sound's pressure amplitude relative to a reference pressure. Specifically, sound pressure level is a decibel scale based on the ratio of the pressure amplitude to a reference pressure, which becomes particularly relevant in mediums like water.
The gauge pressure displayed in such graphs indicates the pressure in relation to atmospheric pressure, being positive for pressures above and negative for pressures below it. These representations are crucial for understanding the impact of different sound intensities, as they show how larger-amplitude oscillations correspond to greater pressure maxima and minima, thereby having the potential to exert more substantial forces on the objects they encounter.
It's important to note that the decibel levels can vary greatly based on whether they're used to describe sound in air or in water, with ocean noise pollution from ships potentially reaching levels of 200 dB in sound pressure level, whereas familiar sound intensity levels for the same sound in air would fall under 140 dB.