Increasing the Intensity of a Sound by 10 Decibels Means

Question

Increasing the intensity of a sound by 10 decibels means that
A) The intensity is increased by a factor of 10 and the pressure by a factor of 100
B) The intensity is increased by a factor of 100 and the pressure by a factor of 10
C) The intensity is increased by a factor of 10 and the pressure by a factor of 3.16
D) The intensity is increased by a factor of 3.16 and the pressure by a factor of 10
E) Cannot be determined without a reference intensity or pressure

Accepted Answer

Increasing the intensity by 10 decibels means the intensity is increased by a factor of 10, and since sound pressure is proportional to the square root of intensity, the pressure increases by a factor of √10, approximately 3.16.