How many decibels is the sound of whispering laughter?

In summary, sound levels are measured in decibels (dB) and the sound of whispering laughter is around 25 dB (SPL) from 1m away. However, this can vary depending on the volume of the whisper. Normal speech is around 50 dB at 1m and regular breathing is around 10 dB at 1m. It's important to consider distance from the source as sound magnitude decreases with distance. Decibels are based on a log scale, so a 50 dB sound is much louder than a 25 dB sound. Every 3 dB increase is equivalent to doubling the sound. The scale ranges from 0 dB (silent) to 120 dB (painful).
  • #1
xylem
2
0
How many decibels is the sound of whispering laughter?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
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:
  • #3
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
 
  • #4
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.
 

1. How are decibels measured?

Decibels are a unit of measurement that indicates the relative intensity of sound. They are measured using a logarithmic scale, with 0 decibels (dB) representing the quietest sound that the human ear can hear, and higher numbers representing louder sounds.

2. What is the range of decibels for whispering laughter?

The range of decibels for whispering laughter can vary, but on average it falls between 10-30 dB. However, this can also depend on the person's voice and how close they are to the listener.

3. Is whispering laughter louder or quieter than regular laughter?

Whispering laughter is generally quieter than regular laughter, which can range from 60-90 dB depending on the person. Whispering laughter is often used to convey a quieter, more intimate form of laughter compared to regular laughter.

4. How does the distance between the person laughing and the listener affect the decibel level?

The further away the person laughing is from the listener, the quieter the decibel level will be. This is because sound waves dissipate as they travel, causing a decrease in the intensity of the sound. Additionally, background noise can also affect the perceived decibel level.

5. Can whispering laughter reach damaging levels of decibels?

No, whispering laughter does not typically reach damaging levels of decibels. Sounds above 85 dB can cause damage to the ears, but whispering laughter falls well below this threshold. However, it is always important to protect your ears and be mindful of noise levels.

Similar threads

Sound intensity - How to deal with decibels?
    • Mechanics
Replies
17
Views
1K
I Sound power, amplitude, frequency, and decibels
    • Classical Physics
Replies
5
Views
351
Using Half of a Dome for Whispering Gallery Effect?
    • Mechanics
Replies
15
Views
2K
B How Do Variables Like Diameter, Focal Length, and Distance Impact the Efficiency of Whisper Dishes?
    • Mechanics
Replies
4
Views
184
Exploring Sound Wave Pressures in Atmosphere: A Graph Analysis
    • Mechanics
Replies
9
Views
1K
Trying to better understand sound & vibration on textured surfaces
    • Mechanics
Replies
3
Views
9K
Sound underwater distance and decibels
    • Mechanics
Replies
2
Views
1K
B What sound frequencies can pass through a hole in a wall?
    • Mechanics
Replies
31
Views
701
Is My Jazz Band Practice Too Loud? Concerns About Sound Intensity
    • Mechanics
Replies
7
Views
1K
Calculating Decibels & Watts: Looking for Help
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
699

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top