Question

People with good hearing can perceive sounds as low in level as –8.00 dB at a frequency of 3000 Hz. What is the intensity of this sound in watts per meter squared?

a) (1.12 X 10⁻12 W/m²)
b) (1.25 X 10⁻12 W/m²)
c) (1.40 X 10⁻12 W/m²)
d) (1.56 X 10⁻12 W/m²)

Answer 1

The intensity of the sound in watts per meter squared is approximately 1.56 x 10^(-12) W/m².

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the intensity of the sound in watts per meter squared, we need to convert the decibel value to intensity using the following formula:

Intensity (in watts per meter squared) = reference intensity * 10^(dB/10)

Given that the decibel level is -8.00 dB and the reference intensity is 10^(-12) W/m², we can substitute the values into the formula:

Intensity = (10^(-12) W/m²) * 10^(-8.00/10)

After performing the calculation, the intensity of the sound in watts per meter squared is approximately 1.56 x 10^(-12) W/m². Therefore, the correct answer is (d) (1.56 x 10^(-12) W/m²).

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