Does Doubling the Number of Flutes Double the Sound Intensity?

AI Thread Summary
Doubling the number of flutists does not result in a doubling of sound intensity due to the non-linear response of the human ear to sound pressure. Instead, adding a second flutist increases the sound level by only about 3 decibels, rather than the 10 decibels needed to perceive a doubling of loudness. The relationship between sound intensity and perceived loudness is logarithmic, meaning that sound pressure must increase significantly to be perceived as louder. The formula for this conversion involves a logarithmic calculation based on changes in power. Thus, while two flutists create more sound energy, the increase in perceived loudness is not proportional.
stiner1921
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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
 

Thread 'Derivation of Hamilton's Principle: Questions'

I have recently been really interested in the derivation of Hamiltons Principle. On my research I found that with the term ##m \cdot \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dr}{dt} \cdot \delta r) = 0## (1) one may derivate ##\delta \int (T - V) dt = 0## (2). The derivation itself I understood quiet good, but what I don't understand is where the equation (1) came from, because in my research it was just given and not derived from anywhere. Does anybody know where (1) comes from or why from it the...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Sound pressure and inverse distance law
Replies
5
Views
2K
I Summing and averaging RMS pressure (amplitude) of sound waves
Replies
2
Views
2K
Sound wave intensity (dB) and sound processing
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Relationship between frequency and power for sound?
Replies
11
Views
5K
Sound Waves, Resonance, and intensity
Replies
5
Views
7K
"A sharp sound is perceived as being more intense than low"
Replies
14
Views
2K
B Sound Intensity doubles if number of noise sources double?
Replies
7
Views
1K
Sound Loudness vs Pitch Misconception
Replies
9
Views
4K
B If I double sound on my PC, how would the sound intensity increase?
Replies
10
Views
2K
Hearing a Sound Wave: Does Intensity Matter?
Replies
2
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top