What is the term used when converting sound power in watts to decibels?

What is the term used when converting sound power in watts to decibels?

• A. Sound intensity
• B. Sound pressure
• C. Acoustic efficiency
• D. Sound power level

Answer: (D)

To convert a source’s power in watts into a decibel value, you use the sound power level. In acoustics, decibels express ratios, and for power the formula is Lw = 10 log10(W / W0), where W is the sound power in watts and W0 is the reference power (1×10^-12 W). This tells you how many decibels the source’s power is above the reference. This differs from sound intensity level (which uses power per area as the quantity) and sound pressure level (which uses pressure fluctuations), and from acoustic efficiency (a ratio rather than a decibel). So the term for expressing power in decibels is sound power level.

To convert a source’s power in watts into a decibel value, you use the sound power level. In acoustics, decibels express ratios, and for power the formula is Lw = 10 log10(W / W0), where W is the sound power in watts and W0 is the reference power (1×10^-12 W). This tells you how many decibels the source’s power is above the reference. This differs from sound intensity level (which uses power per area as the quantity) and sound pressure level (which uses pressure fluctuations), and from acoustic efficiency (a ratio rather than a decibel). So the term for expressing power in decibels is sound power level.