Question

The smallest amount of a change in sound we detect is about _______ percent.

a) 1%
b) 10%
c) 50%
d) 90%

Answer 1

The smallest amount of a change in sound we detect is about 1%.

Step-by-step explanation:

The smallest amount of a change in sound we detect is about 1%. Sound intensity is measured in decibels (dB), and the decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning that a small change in sound intensity corresponds to a large change in decibel level. For example, a sound that is twice as intense as another sound is only about 3 dB higher in decibel level. Therefore, a change of 1% in sound intensity is approximately equal to a change of about 0.1 dB in decibel level.