Question

The warning tag on a lawn mower states that it produces noise at a level of 91.0 dB. What is this in watts per meter squared?

a) (2.00 X 10⁻9W/m²)
b) (5.00 X 10⁻9W/m²)
c) (1.00 X 10⁻9W/m²)
d) (2.00 X 10⁻10W/m²)

Answer 1

To convert 91.0 dB to watts per meter squared, the standard formula I = I_0 × 10^{(ß/10)} is used with a threshold intensity (I_0) of 1×10⁻¹² W/m². The intensity of the lawn mower's noise in watts per meter squared is 2.00 X 10⁻⁹ W/m².

Step-by-step explanation:

Sound intensity is measured in watts per meter squared (W/m²). To convert from decibels (dB) to watts per meter squared, you can use the formula:

I = 10^(L/10)

Where I is the intensity in W/m² and L is the sound level in decibels.

Given that the lawn mower produces noise at a level of 91.0 dB, we can calculate the intensity as:

I = 10^(91/10)

I = 2.00 X 10⁻⁹ W/m²

Therefore, the correct option is a) (2.00 X 10⁻⁹ W/m²).