Power from Sound: Fans Create 12.56 Watts 1km Away

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the acoustic power generated by fans at a stadium, given a sound intensity level of 60 dB at a distance of 1 km. Participants explore the implications of sound propagation and the geometry of sound radiation.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related, Mathematical reasoning, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a calculation for acoustic power using the formulas for intensity and power, arriving at 12.56 W, but notes that the expected answer is 6.28 W.
  • Another participant suggests considering the effects of sound absorption or reflection by the stadium floor, indicating potential factors that could affect the calculation.
  • A subsequent post reiterates the initial calculation but clarifies that the sound is radiated into a hemisphere, which would halve the surface area used in the power calculation.
  • One participant expresses understanding after the clarification about the hemisphere, indicating a conceptual shift in their reasoning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct power output, with differing views on the impact of geometry and environmental factors on the calculations.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding sound absorption and reflection, as well as the implications of using a hemisphere versus a sphere in the calculations.

triforce
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Homework Statement


Fans at a stadium produce sound that is heard 1km away, the intensity level is 60 dB. How much acoustic power is generated by the fans?

Homework Equations


B = 10 log (I÷I_0)
P=I*A

The Attempt at a Solution


I= 10^-12*6^10= 10^-6W/m^2
P= 10^-6*4pi*1000^2 =12.56W

However the right answer should be 6.28W
 
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Hi triforce. :welcome:

Do you need to consider: would sound be absorbed, or reflected, by the stadium floor?

There's a typo in your working, too.
 
triforce said:

Homework Statement


Fans at a stadium produce sound that is heard 1km away, the intensity level is 60 dB. How much acoustic power is generated by the fans?

Homework Equations


B = 10 log (I÷I_0)
P=I*A

The Attempt at a Solution


I= 10^-12*6^10= 10^-6W/m^2
P= 10^-6*4pi*1000^2 =12.56W

However the right answer should be 6.28W
As the sound is radiated into a hemisphere rather than a sphere, the surface area is halved.
 
tech99 said:
As the sound is radiated into a hemisphere rather than a sphere, the surface area is halved.
Ah! That makes sense!

Thank you very much!
 

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