Which decibel change corresponds to a tenfold increase in intensity?

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Multiple Choice

Which decibel change corresponds to a tenfold increase in intensity?

Explanation:
Decibels express the ratio of intensities on a logarithmic scale. The level is given by L = 10 log10(I/I0). If the intensity is ten times larger than the reference (I/I0 = 10), then L = 10 log10(10) = 10 × 1 = 10 dB. So a tenfold increase in intensity corresponds to a +10 dB change. For context, 0 dB means no change, -10 dB is one-tenth the intensity, and about 3 dB is roughly a doubling of intensity (since 10 log10(2) ≈ 3.01).

Decibels express the ratio of intensities on a logarithmic scale. The level is given by L = 10 log10(I/I0). If the intensity is ten times larger than the reference (I/I0 = 10), then L = 10 log10(10) = 10 × 1 = 10 dB. So a tenfold increase in intensity corresponds to a +10 dB change. For context, 0 dB means no change, -10 dB is one-tenth the intensity, and about 3 dB is roughly a doubling of intensity (since 10 log10(2) ≈ 3.01).

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