Intensity of Sound

Intensity is determined by the amplitude of the sound wave and is measured in Watts per metre2
, however it is more convenient to express a sound as a relative quantity called Intensity Level.
The intensity level (IL) of sound waves is measured in a unit called the decibel (after Alexander
Graham Bell).
The relationship is defined as:
1L 10log

l
dec ibelsdB (An increase of a factor of 10 is 1 Bel)
l0

The intensity, (10), is the intensity of the "threshold of hearing", the softest sound that the
average human ear can detect, and is standardised at 10-12 Watts/m2
I is the intensity of the sound we are measuring.

Example:
Engine noise is measured as 10 -5 Watts/sq m.

It should be noted that 120 db is the"threshold of pain". Sound of this intensity is painful to the
normal ear. If the ear is continuously subjected to sound of this intensity, ear damage and
hearing loss can result.