Question

A construction explosion has an intensity I of 1.25 x 10–4 W/m2. Find the loudness of the sound in decibels ifDecibels Formula W/m2. Round to the nearest tenth.
(1 point)
Responses

81 decibels
81 decibels

161 decibels
161 decibels

82.2 decibels
82.2 decibels

12.5 decibels

Answer 1

The decibels formula is given by D = 10 log(I / I0), where I is the intensity of the sound and I0 is the reference intensity of 10^-12 W/m^2.

In this case, I = 1.25 x 10^-4 W/m^2.

Substituting into the formula, we get D = 10 log(1.25 x 10^-4 / 10^-12) = 10 log(1.25 x 10^8) = 10(8.09691) ≈ 80.97

Therefore, the loudness of the sound in decibels is 80.97, which rounds to 81 decibels.

Therefore, the correct answer is:
81 decibels