What is an example of a sound that is intense but not loud?

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An example of a sound that is intense but not loud is a high-frequency tone, such as 20 kHz at 120 dB SPL, which may not be audible to many people but can still have a high amplitude and intensity. Intensity is a physical property of sound waves, while loudness is a perceptual experience. Research indicates that there are relationships between frequency and amplitude that affect perceived loudness, known as "equal loudness curves." Sounds outside the human hearing range can possess significant intensity without being perceived as loud. This highlights the distinction between sound intensity and the subjective experience of loudness.
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What is an example of a sound that is intense but not loud?
 
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Really good question!

Intensity refers to a physical property of the sound wave (related to its amplitude), while loudness is the perceptual quality that is experienced.

http://www.dosits.org/science/whatis/intensity.htm

My guess is that if a pure tone is of a frequency way outside of the human hearing range, it could have a very high amplitude and intensity, but still would not be heard. I'm not sure how far outside normal hearing range you would have to go because psychophysical researchers have found relationships between frequency and amplitude in determining perceived loudness ("equal loudness curves"). Maybe an expert will drop by and provide more insight.
 
i guess an example would be a very "intense" sound (like 120 dB SPL) at 20 kHz. someone my age is likely not to hear it, but it might strip the skin offa you.
 

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