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The decibel (symbol: dB) is a relative unit of measurement equal to one tenth of a bel (B). It expresses the ratio of two values of a power or root-power quantity on a logarithmic scale. Two signals whose levels differ by one decibel have a power ratio of 10 1/10 (approximately 1.26) or root-power ratio of 10 1/20 (approximately 1.12).
Decibel (dB) is a unit for measuring the ratio between two physical quantities, usually amounts of acoustic or electric power, or for measuring the relative loudness of sounds. Learn how decibels are calculated, what they mean, and where they come from in this article from Britannica.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Sep 7, 2023 · Decibels are the units used to measure sound intensity and other types of energy. Learn how decibels are calculated, what sounds are at different decibel levels, and how to protect your hearing from noise-induced damage.
- Sascha Bos
- A decibel is a measure of sound intensity and amplitude using the decibel (dB) scale. The amplitude of a sound depends on its loudness.
- Calculate the logarithm of the power ratio, then multiple the outcome by 10 to identify the number of decibels.
- A normal conversation is around 60 dB, and more than 85 dB can harm your hearing over time. If you’re too close, a loud noise over 140 dB can infli...
- Yes, 100 dB is too loud for prolonged exposure as anything louder than 85 dB can cause hearing loss. For reference, a farm tractor, motorcycle and...
Your Online Resource Centre. My Decibel® Account. To access your employment data, please enter your User ID and Password: User Name.
Learn how to measure sound levels in decibels (dB) and what they mean for your hearing. See a chart of common sounds and their dB levels, from 0 to 194, and how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Learn what decibel is, how to calculate it, and why it is used to measure sound intensity. Explore the decibel scale, noise level chart, and decibel meter with examples and interactive video lessons.