Home
Back
Decibel Distance Formula:
| From: | To: |
The decibel distance formula calculates how sound levels decrease with distance from a source. It's based on the inverse square law for sound propagation, which states that sound intensity decreases by 6 dB for each doubling of distance from the source.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula accounts for how sound waves spread out and lose energy as they travel through air, following the inverse square law principle.
Details: Accurate sound level estimation is crucial for noise control, hearing protection, environmental impact assessments, and audio system design in various settings.
Tips: Enter the source dB level and distance in meters. Distance must be greater than zero. The calculator will compute the sound level at the specified distance.
Q1: Why does sound decrease by 6 dB per distance doubling?
A: This follows the inverse square law - as sound waves spread out, the energy is distributed over a larger area, reducing intensity by 6 dB for each doubling of distance.
Q2: Are there factors that affect real-world sound propagation?
A: Yes, environmental factors like humidity, temperature, wind, obstacles, and ground absorption can affect actual sound propagation beyond the theoretical calculation.
Q3: What is a typical dB level for common sound sources?
A: Normal conversation: 60-65 dB, city traffic: 85 dB, rock concert: 110-120 dB, jet engine: 140 dB at close range.
Q4: How accurate is this calculation for indoor environments?
A: Less accurate indoors due to reflections, reverberation, and absorption. The formula works best for outdoor, free-field conditions.
Q5: Can this be used for point sources and line sources?
A: The formula is primarily for point sources. Line sources (like traffic on a road) follow different attenuation patterns.