The acoustic intensity, I, of a sound wave is proportional to the square of the pressure amplitude, P, and inversely proportional to the velocity, v, of the wave.

Question

a) what is the proportionality relationship?

b) what happens to the intensity if both the pressure and velocity are doubled?

thanks alot :)

Answer 1

a. I = P^2/V

b. I = (2P)^2/2V = 4P^2/2V = 2P^2/V.
Therefore, I is doubled.