Question

Define the term intensity of a sound wave. State the unit in which it is measured.

Answer 1

The amount of energy that is transported past a given area of the medium per unit of time is known as the intensity of the sound wave. The greater the amplitude of vibrations of the particles of the medium, the greater the rate at which energy is transported through it, and the more intense that the sound wave is. Intensity is the energy/time/area; and since the energy/time ratio is equivalent to the quantity power, intensity is simply the power/area.

$Intensity=\frac{Energy}{Time\times Area}$ or $Intensity=\frac{Power}{Area}$

Typical units for expressing the intensity of a sound wave is Watts/square meter.