Final answer:
Decibels (dB) are used to describe sound loudness because they reflect the logarithmic nature of human hearing, making this scale better suit our perception of volume changes. The dB indicates a relativity to a standard reference level, which is more useful than the raw intensity in W/m² for describing perceived loudness. the correct option c) It accounts for the logarithmic nature of human perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decibel (dB) is used to describe the loudness of sound because it accounts for the logarithmic nature of human perception (option c).
The human ear perceives sound intensity logarithmically rather than linearly, meaning that an increase in sound intensity by a certain factor results in a perception of loudness that is not directly proportional to that factor. Consequently, using a logarithmic scale like the decibel allows the measurement of sound to align more closely with our perception of loudness.
The sound intensity level in decibels is unit-less since the decibel indicates that the ratio of the measured sound intensity to a reference sound intensity is multiplied by 10. This unit of measurement is particularly relevant because it conveys the relative level of sound compared to a standard reference, rather than the actual intensity in watts per meter squared. This relevance to human hearing has made decibels the unit of choice both in scientific literature and everyday descriptions of sound intensity.
Furthermore, the sound intensity level in dB is more meaningful for describing how humans perceive sounds, as opposed to just directly stating the sound intensity in watts per meter squared (W/m²).
the correct option c) It accounts for the logarithmic nature of human perception.