How many decibels is the sound of whispering laughter?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the sound level of whispering laughter, specifically in terms of decibels (dB). Participants explore the approximate decibel level, the implications of distance from the sound source, and the logarithmic nature of the decibel scale.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant estimates whispering laughter to be around 25 dB (SPL) from 1 meter away, noting that this can vary based on how loudly one whispers.
  • Another participant mentions that 50 dB at 1 meter is the level of typical speech, while 10 dB corresponds to regular breathing, indicating a range of sound levels.
  • A further contribution highlights the logarithmic scale of decibels, explaining that an increase of 3 dB represents a doubling of perceived loudness.
  • Another participant provides information on the relationship between decibels and power, stating that 0 dB SPL corresponds to 10^-12 watts per square meter and 120 dB SPL to 1 watt per square meter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present varying estimates and explanations regarding the decibel level of whispering laughter, indicating that there is no consensus on a specific value. The discussion remains open with multiple viewpoints expressed.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the influence of distance on sound level and the logarithmic nature of the decibel scale, but do not resolve how these factors specifically apply to whispering laughter.

xylem
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How many decibels is the sound of whispering laughter?
 
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It's ~25 dB (SPL) from 1m away, depending on how loudly one whispers, I suppose. ~50 dB at 1m is the level of speech, and ~10 dB at 1m is the level of just regular breathing. The magnitude of sound decays with distance, so distance from the source needs to be considered.
 
Last edited:
Just remember that decibels are based on a log scale. This means that 50dB is much more than 2 times as loud as 25dB. Every increment of 3dB you increase, it's about twice as loud.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel#Examples
 
0 decibels SPL is about 10^-12 watts per square meter. 120 decibels SPL is about 1 watt per square meter. As indicated above, it is a logarithmic scale; every 10 decibels is a factor of 10 in watts/ square meter.
 

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