# Sound Pressure Level Formula

## Sound Pressure Level

Sound pressure is the pressure applied by the sound waves. The sound pressure level is the ratio of the actual sound pressure and the reference level which is the lowest intensity sound that can be heard by maximum people. In other words, a sound pressure level decides the amount of pressure on the sound.  It provides the logarithmic measures of rms value of the sound pressure to the reference value of the sound.

It is expressed in (dB).

The sound pressure level formula is expressed by

Lp = 20 log10(prms / pref)

Where,

Prms = root mean square sound pressure in Pa,

pref= reference sound pressure in Pa. (20 μPa)

### Solved Example

Example 1: Determine the sound pressure level if the rms pressure value is given as 30 μPa.

Solution:

Given

Prms = 30 μPa

pref = 20 μPa

The sound pressure level formula is given by

Lp = 20 log10 (prms / pref)

Lp = 20 log10 (30 / 20)

Lp = 3.52 dB

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