Loudness is the subjective perception of how strong a sound seems, while intensity is the objective measure of sound energy per unit area. Loudness depends on factors like the listener’s sensitivity and brain interpretation, making it a subjective experience, whereas intensity is a physical property that can be measured. Intensity is directly related to the amplitude of the sound wave, and loudness is often, but not always, closely correlated to intensity.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Intensity:
Definition: Intensity of a sound wave is the amount of sound energy passing through a unit area per second.
Measurement: It’s a physical quantity that can be measured objectively.
Relationship to Amplitude: Higher amplitude sound waves generally have greater intensity.
Units: Typically measured in Watts per square meter (W/m²).
Loudness:
Definition:
Loudness is the subjective perception of how loud a sound seems to a listener.
Measurement:
It’s not an objective measurement and varies from person to person.
Relationship to Intensity:
While intensity is a primary factor influencing loudness, other factors like frequency and the listener’s hearing sensitivity also play a role.
Units:
Loudness is often measured in decibels (dB), but the decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning that a 10 dB increase roughly doubles the perceived loudness.