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How many decibels does it take to double the volume of a sound?

a) 5 dB
b) 10 dB
c) 20 dB
d) 30 dB

User Jmsu
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1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

A doubling of sound intensity results in a 3 dB increase, while a 10 dB increase is typically perceived as a doubling of volume. However, these are different concepts: one is a measurable increase in intensity, and the other is a subjective perception of loudness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the change in sound volume measured in decibels (dB) required to perceive a doubling of the volume. When one sound is twice as intense as another, it does not necessarily mean that the sound is perceived as twice as loud, but there is a distinct increase in volume. It has been shown through various examples that an increase in 10 dB is typically perceived as a sound being twice as loud, though an exact figure can be subjective and vary among individuals. However, when referring to intensity level, which is a measurable quantity, if one sound is twice as intense as another, it has a sound level about 3 dB higher. This is based on the logarithmic scale used to measure sound intensity levels, and can be calculated using the formula for decibel levels dB = 10 log(I1/I0), where I1 is the intensity of one sound and I0 is the reference intensity.

User Ovi Tisler
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