sound intensity

USAGE SUMMARY

"sound intensity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the amount of energy present in a sound wave, generally measured in decibels. For example, "The sound intensity of the rock concert was so loud that it could be heard from blocks away."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(For every 10 decibels, sound intensity increases tenfold).

The New York Times - Health

When sound intensity is doubled, on the other hand, the SPL increases by only 3 dB.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These intervals of combined sound will be perceived as "beats," or periodic alternations of sound intensity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unlike loudness, sound intensity is objective and can be measured by auditory equipment independent of an observer's hearing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rate at which sound energy is transmitted, called sound intensity, is proportional to the square of the SPL.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then normalize them regarding the sound intensity.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Research field: dynamics and design, vibration, sound intensity.

ROBOMECH Journal

The effect is to increase the sound intensity [43, 45].

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Besides, the sound intensity was effectively attenuated throughout the duct.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Sound intensity levels and their sources were recorded with the Nox-T3 monitor.

Annals of Intensive Care

Median sound intensity level reached 70.2 [65.1–80.3] dBC at night.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential hearing damage, use "sound intensity" to refer to the physical property of the sound wave, and correlate it with decibel levels known to cause harm.

Common error

Avoid using "loudness" and "sound intensity" interchangeably. "Sound intensity" is an objective, measurable quantity, while loudness is a subjective perception. Use "sound intensity" when referring to measured values and "loudness" when describing how a person perceives the sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sound intensity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to identify and quantify the strength or power of a sound wave. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in scientific, technical, and general contexts to objectively describe acoustic energy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sound intensity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, particularly in scientific and technical contexts, to describe the strength or power of a sound wave. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English. While often used interchangeably with loudness, it's crucial to remember that "sound intensity" is an objective measurement, whereas loudness is a subjective perception. The phrase appears frequently in scientific journals, encyclopedias, and news articles, making it a versatile term for both technical and general audiences. When discussing "sound intensity", consider using alternatives like "acoustic intensity" or "sound level" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acoustic intensity

Replaces "sound" with "acoustic", emphasizing the physical aspect of sound.

strength of sound

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the power or force of the sound.

sound level

A more general term that refers to the magnitude of sound, often measured in decibels.

sound magnitude

Highlights the size or extent of the sound's impact.

acoustic energy

Refers to the energy carried by sound waves, directly related to its intensity.

acoustic power

Refers to the rate at which sound energy is emitted, directly related to intensity.

loudness of sound

Focuses on the subjective perception of sound strength rather than the objective measurement.

intensity of acoustics

A more technical phrasing, inverting the words order.

volume of sound

Emphasizes the perceived magnitude of sound, similar to loudness.

sound pressure level

A technical term referring to the local pressure deviation from the ambient pressure caused by a sound wave.

FAQs

How is "sound intensity" measured?

"Sound intensity" is typically measured in decibels (dB) using a sound level meter. The measurement quantifies the amount of sound energy passing through a unit area.

What is the relationship between "sound intensity" and perceived loudness?

While directly related, "sound intensity" is an objective measure, and loudness is a subjective human perception. Higher "sound intensity" generally correlates with greater perceived loudness, but individual hearing sensitivity can vary.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "sound intensity"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "acoustic intensity", "sound level", or "acoustic energy".

How does distance affect "sound intensity"?

"Sound intensity" decreases with distance from the source. This is because the sound energy spreads out over a larger area as it propagates away from the source.