Logarithms & Decibels Chapter 5

Question 1

What is the definition of decibels?

Answer 1

A logarithmic scale, a relative comparison or ratio bw the final to the initial strengths. AKA a comparison, two intensities are needed to calculate decibels.

Question 2

What units report the relative bigness of a sound beam?
A) mm B) Pa C) degrees D) dB E) Hz

Answer 2

D) dB

Question 3

What are positive decibels? What does 3 dB mean? 10 dB? 9dB?

Answer 3

Getting bigger, the intensity is increasing. 2 times bigger. 10 times bigger. 8 times bigger.

Question 4

What are negative decibels? -3 dB? -10dB?

Answer 4

Getting smaller, the intensity is decreasing . One-half. One-tenth.

Question 5

1. A reduction of intensity to one-half of its original value is______ dB.

Answer 5

-3 dB

Question 6

2. A drop in intensity to one-quarter of its original value is _________ dB.

Answer 6

-6 dB

Question 7

3. -10 dB means that the intensity is reduced to _________ of its original value .

Answer 7

One-tenth

Question 8

4. Decibel is a mathematical representation with a ____________ scale.

Answer 8

Logarithmic

Question 9

5. (T or F) we need one intensity to calculate decibels.

Answer 9

False, we need two.

Question 10

If the final intensity is more than the initial intensity then the gain in dB is _____________.

Answer 10

Positive

Question 11

If the initial intensity is less than the final intensity then the gain in dB is ___________.

Answer 11

Positive

Question 12

The relative change in a sound beam’s intensity is measured in _______.

Answer 12

Decibels