Decibels in acoustics

N the perception of physiological stimuli, light and sound for example, the intensity of the stimulus ranges over about 1 to 10I2 between the lower limit of perception and the discomfort threshold. Within this range, Weber's law states that the change AL in the level L of the stimulus, which produces a just perceptible increase 4 R in the response R, is given by AL 4 R = KL
where K is a constant. The.fructionu1 change in stimulus is the important factor. Integration of Weber's law gives Fechner's law:

ten times the difference in bels and number of decibels = 10 log

iL",) dB.

R = KlnL.
The Weber-Fechner Law indicates that a change from 10 to 100 units is of similar importance to a change from 100 to 1000 or 1000 to 10 000 units, etc. The logarithmic form gives log 10 = 1, log 100 = 2, log 1000 = 3, log 10 000 = 4 and each change in the linear scale from 10 to 100, 100 to 1000, etc. is represented by one unit of the logarithmic scale (the convention In = log, and log = log,, is used). The units of a logarithmic scale are defined as follows: the difference in bels between two levels L and Lr is number of bels = log

Their use in acoustics is well known through the expression of sound levels in decibels. The smallest change which the ear can detect is of the order of one decibel, although the precise value varies considerably with frequency and intensity level. This note explains the meaning and interpretation of decibel sound levels. The significance to be attached to levels L and L, depends on which aspect of the sound source we are considering. The basic quantity is the sound power radiated by the source. This may w for a quiet whisper to vary from about lo7 w for a large rocket engine. The energy which is radiated spreads out in space and our hearing responds to the sound level at the ear. The intensity is defined as the rate of flow of energy through unit area placed perpendicular to the direction of propagation. The intensity level of Z is intensity level = 10 log - d s

(3

- bels.

The bel has been found to be too large a unit and bel, is used. The the decibel (ds), which is difference in decibels between L and L, is then

where I is the sound intensity and Z , is a reference level with respect to which all intensity levels are calculated. I, is normally taken as 10-l6 w cm-2 or erg cm-2 sec-l. Then, dB intensity level = 10 log I- 10 log or intensity level = 10 log ZT90 dB. (2) However, measurements are nearly always made in terms of sound pressure, Under certain circumstances the sound intensity is proportional to the mean square sound pressure, p 2 . For a

if)

(1)

Threshold
o f pain

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10 6 Pressure ( d y n c r r 2 J
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194 Sound pressure level ( d e )

DECIBELS IN ACOUSTICS

plane wave, I = p2/pc where p is the density of air and c is the velocity of sound in air. Thus p = ( p ~ Z ) 1where /~ p and c take values appropriate to the barometric height, temperature, etc. Normally, p c = 42 c.g.s. units. Substituting p2,pc for I in equation (1) gives : sound pressure level = 10 log

occur. These would cause a redistribution of energy in space.) The total decibel level is

G I

- dB
(3)

Nil.10

.Vl/lO

AdlO

= lOlog(l0

-10

+10

...I.

(6)

which The reference level pr is 0.0002 dyn is close to the normal threshold of hearing for medium frequencies. (1 dyn cm-2 = 1 microbar N 10-6 atmosphere.) Then, from (3), sound pressure level = 20 1OgP- 20 log (O@OO2) dB = 20 1 0 g p t 7 4 dB. (4) Substituting p = (42Z)1/2 in (4) results in sound pressure level = 10 log 42I-i-74 dB = 10 log 1+90.2 dB. (5) Equations (2) and ( 5 ) are almost identical, owing to the suitable choice of reference levels. This means that under the restricted circumstances for which I = p2/pc, decibel intensity and pressure levels are numerically equal. The equality breaks down in, for example, a room in which standing waves cause local variations in pressure. The figuregives some decibel levels. 40 dB corresponds approximately to the level of a whisper, 60 dB to normal conversation, 70-80 dB to average traffic noise, 90 dB to loud traffic noise and 120 dB to the threshold of pain. Great care must be exercised in the addition of decibel sound levels. The addition is normally made on an energy basis (i.e. intensity or mean square pressure, not pressure). To add decibel levels N,,N,,N,, ... dB, we have, from the definition of logarithms,

The use of equation (6) is illustrated by the following examples : (U) Add two levels, each of 80 dB The total level is 10 log (lOS+lO~)= 10 log 2 1 1 0 log 10s = 3j80 = 83 dB. In general, the result of adding any two equal decibel intensity levels is an increase of 3 dB, not twice the number of decibels. (b) Add levels 60 dB and 65 dB The total level is io log (loo+ 106.5) = i o log { i o y i IO-P~)} = 10 log 106lO log 1.316 = 65+1.2 = 66.2 dB.

(c) Add levels 92 dB and 78 dB The total level is

10 log {1092(l+10-1.4)} = 92.17 dB.

It is seen that as the difference in decibels between the levels increases, the effect of adding the lower level becomes very small. Subtraction is carried out in a similar way. The computation is eased in practice by the use of specially prepared charts, from which the addition is read off directly. This introduction to decibels has considered their use as an objective measure of sound levels. It has not dealt with the subjective effect of loudness, which is related to both level and frequency in a complicated manner. However, you will now be able to understand what is misleading in the following statement: The result of considerable research has been to reduce the noise level from 110 dB to 80 dB, i.e. by 30 dB, which is similar to the sound made by a pin dropping.

-Pr Pr2 Therefore, the total mean square pressure ratio is

p:+p;-Lp:-. = 10 $10 10 ... . Pr2 (It is assumed here that interference effects do not
X,/lO
Xz/lO
s3/10

195