Question

If your radio is producing an average sound intensity level of \({\rm{85}}\;{\rm{dB}}\), what is the next lowest sound intensity level that is clearly less intense??

Short answer

The next lowest sound intensity level is \(82\;dB\).

Step-by-step solution

Given Data

The sound intensity level is\(L = 85\;dB\)

Concept

The expression for the next lowest sound intensity level is given by,

\({L^'} = L - 3\)

Here\(L\)is an average sound intensity level.

Calculation of the closest frequencies  

The lowest less intense sound intensity level is,

\[{L^'} = \left( {L - 0.003} \right)\]

Plugging the values,

\[\begin{aligned}{c}{L^'} &= \left( {85 - 3} \right)\,dB\\ &= 82\;dB\end{aligned}\]

Therefore the next lowest sound intensity level is \[82\;dB\].