Does Doubling the Number of Flutes Double the Sound Intensity?

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SUMMARY

Doubling the number of flutists does not result in a doubling of perceived sound intensity due to the non-linear response of human hearing. Specifically, an increase in sound energy from two flutists playing together results in only a 3 decibel increase, rather than the 10 decibels typically required to perceive a doubling of loudness. This is established by the logarithmic relationship between sound pressure and perceived loudness, as described by the formula 10 * log(change in power).

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If 2 flutist play their instruments together at the same intensity, is the sound twice as loud as that either flutist playing alone at that intensity? Why or why not?
 
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No, because the ear's response to sound pressure is not linear. Doubling the sound pressure does not double the perceived loudness.

- Warren
 
The generally accepted level of change required to be perceived as a doubling/halving of sound level is 10 decibels.

Doubling the sound energy by adding the second instrument results in an increase of only 3db.

You can use the formula to go from a linear scale to logarithmic.

10 * log(change in power)


Cliff
 

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