Comparing Decibel and Voltage Levels in Sound Experiment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an experiment measuring sound levels produced by a speaker connected to a power supply, specifically exploring the relationship between voltage levels and decibel readings. Participants are seeking to understand the appropriate mathematical framework to compare these two measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the theorem to use for comparing voltage and decibel readings in their sound experiment.
  • Another participant provides a formula for converting voltage to decibels: G_{\mathrm{dB}}=20\log V, clarifying that it uses log base 10.
  • A participant expresses confusion about how to apply the provided formula and questions whether the speaker size affects the results.
  • There is a suggestion that converting decibels to watts per speaker might be a more effective approach.
  • Participants discuss the setup, confirming that the decibel readings are taken from the sound produced by the speaker as the voltage is varied.
  • One participant proposes a formula for calculating the amplitude of sound based on the decibel reading: A=10^{\frac{G_{dB}}{20}}, indicating that the amplitude of the voltage is known.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to relate voltage and decibel levels, with multiple viewpoints on the relevance of speaker size and the conversion methods suggested.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the experimental setup, such as the nature of the signal generator and the specific characteristics of the speaker, remain unspecified. The discussion also reflects uncertainty regarding the impact of speaker size on the measurements.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in experimental acoustics, sound measurement techniques, and the mathematical relationships between electrical signals and sound levels.

introuble
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Hey I am writing an experiment which has a speaker connected to a power supply playing a continuous note. a decibel reader reads the volume from 0v to 12v. i know that as the voltage goes up so does the decibels but what theorem can i use to compare this with the results that will be recieved? thanks:smile:
 
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To convert voltage into decibels:
[tex]G_{\mathrm{dB}}=20\log V[/tex]

Where [tex]G_{\mathrm{dB}}[/tex] is the value in decibels and V is the voltage measured in volts.

Thats log base 10 by the way :-p
 
Eidos said:
To convert voltage into decibels:
[tex]G_{\mathrm{dB}}=20\log V[/tex]

Where [tex]G_{\mathrm{dB}}[/tex] is the value in decibels and V is the voltage measured in volts.

Thats log base 10 by the way :-p

How would i use this? i am really confused atm lol :confused:

does it depend on the speaker size or not.
 
Ok, start slowly.

What are you trying to measure?

My understanding is that you are playing a pure tone from a signal generator into a speaker. Then what?

I thought that the 0v to 12v was a voltage out across the speaker terminals that you wanted to convert to decibels.
 
A db to watt per speaker might be better.
 
Eidos said:
Ok, start slowly.

What are you trying to measure?

My understanding is that you are playing a pure tone from a signal generator into a speaker. Then what?

then by a decibel reader i read the decibels from the speaker and and turn the voltage up and record the decibels again.
 
Ok, so the decibels are from the sound and you want to find out the amplitude of the sound as a function of the amplitude of the voltage put into the speaker.

Is that right?

If it is:
[tex]A=10^{\frac{G_{dB}}{20}}[/tex] will give you the amplitude of the sound. The amplitude of the voltage is a known quantity then since you are putting that into your speaker.
 
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