Which units measure the amplitude of sound waves?
seconds
decibals
watts
hertz
My choice: decibals
Since using such a large scale is not practical, a logarithmic scale in decibels (dB) was introduced which is also in agreement with physiological and psychological hearing sensations.
Decibels.
Decibels
Congratulations! You have chosen the correct answer, decibels.
To understand why decibels are the units used to measure the amplitude of sound waves, we need to know what amplitude represents. Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of particles in a medium caused by the sound wave. In simpler terms, it represents the loudness or intensity of a sound.
Decibels (dB) are a logarithmic unit used to measure the relative intensity or power of a sound wave. They allow us to quantify the difference in loudness between two sounds. The decibel scale is based on a logarithmic ratio, which means that a small difference in decibel values corresponds to a large change in actual sound intensity.
To measure the sound pressure level in decibels, you need specialized tools called sound level meters or decibel meters. These devices measure the sound pressure and convert it into a decibel value. It is important to note that decibels are a relative scale, so they are often referenced to a standard or threshold value.
While seconds measure time, watts measure power, and hertz measure frequency, none of these units directly represent the amplitude or loudness of sound waves. Therefore, decibels are the correct answer.