DECIBEL (dB)

The Decibel is a subunit of a larger unit called the bel. As originally used, the bel represented the power ratio of 10 to 1 between the strength or intensity i.e., power, of two sounds, and was named after Alexander Graham Bell. Thus a power ratio of 10 1 ! 1 bel, 100 1 ! " bels, and 1000 1 ! # bels. $t is readily seen that the concept of bels represents a logarithmic relationship since the logarithm of 100 to the base 10 is " %corresponding to " bels&, the logarithm of 1000 to the base 10 is # %corresponding to # bels&, etc. The exact relationship is gi'en by the formula Bels = log (P2/P1) Where, P2/P1 represents the power ratio.

Since the bel is a rather large unit, its use may prove inconvenient. Usually a smaller unit, the Decibel or d , is used. 1! decibels ma"e one bel. # 1!$1 power ratio, 1 bel, is 1! d % a 1!!$1 ratio, 2 bels, is 2! d . &hus, the 'ormula becomes$ Decibels (dB) = 10 log (P2/P1)