Physics of Sound 301
Spring 2005
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #5
Due Friday Feb 25, 2005
RMW refers to the textbook The Science of Sound, 3rd
Edition, by T.D. Rossing, F.R. Moore, & P.A. Wheeler
In Dr. Hughes' absence, Young Jai Choi will be available to help with
homework on Thursday, Feb 24, between the hours of 3 and 4 PM in room
Serin 229W.
- RMW, page 97, exercises 2, 4, and 6
- RMW, page 119, exercise 6
- The sound intensity level of a person speaking normally is about 65 dB
above the threshold of hearing. What is the minimum number of people speaking
simultaneously, each with this intensity level, that is necessary to produce a
sound intensity level at least 78 dB above the threshold of hearing? Note that
for this problem we are concerned with a physical quantity (sound intensity level)
not a perceived quantity (loudness). Discuss qualitatively the difference
between the combined sound intensity level vs. the combined loudness when
multiple sources of sound are emitting simultaneously.