CHAPTER 2 – DECIBELS

Before we get into the actual learning of decibels we will need to know the following terms:

Distance: The complete length of the path between any two points is called distance. Distance is a
scalar quantity which means to calculate distance, direction is not considered. Distance is represented
by 'd' and measured in meters.

Displacement: The direct length between any two points when measured along the minimum path
between them. Displacement is a vector quantity which means to calculate displacement, direction is
taken into consideration. Displacement is represented by 's' and measured in meters.

Speed: The rate at which an object covers a certain distance is known as speed. Speed is a scalar
quantity which means to calculate speed, direction is not considered. Speed is represented by ‘v’ and
measured in m/s (meters per second) or ms-1.

Velocity: The rate of change in displacement is called velocity. Velocity is a vector quantity which
means to calculate velocity, direction is taken into consideration. Velocity is represented by ‘u’ or
sometimes by ‘v’ also and measured in m/s or ms-1.

Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity is called acceleration. Acceleration is represented by ‘a’
and measured in m/s2 (meters per second square) or ms-2.

Mass: We can define mass as the inherent property of matter. Mass tells us how much matter there
is in a body, we can measure the mass of a body on earth by measuring the force of gravity acting on
it. Mass is represented by m and measured in Kilogram.

Force: Force is any influence that causes a free body to undergo acceleration. Force can also be
described by intuitive concepts such as a push or pull that can cause an object with mass to change its
velocity (which includes to begin moving from a state of rest), i.e., to accelerate, or which can cause a
flexible object to deform. A force has both magnitude and direction, making it a vector quantity. Force
is represented by F and measured in Newton (N).
F=mxa
Where F is the force, m is the mass of the object and a is the acceleration undergone by the object.

Pressure: Pressure is defined as the force acting per unit area applied in a direction perpendicular to
the surface of an object. Pressure is actually represented by 'P' and measures in N/m2 or Pascal (Pa).
But in our music technology class we will represent pressure by 'Pr' since we will be using 'P' to
represent Power.
Pr = F/A
Where F is the force acting on the body and A the area over which the force is acting.

Energy: We can define energy as the strength to do any kind of physical activity. Thus, they say,
“Energy is the ability to do work.” Physical or chemical resources are processed to generate energy
which is further used to provide light or heat for domestic or industrial purposes. We have also heard
people comparing two persons (A & B) and concluding that A has more energy than B. Thus, we can
conclude that different types of energy which can never be created nor destroyed. Energy can only be
transformed from one form to another. Energy is a scalar quantity. Energy is represented by E and
measured in Newton Meter (Nm) or Joules (J). Let’s have a look at some of the types of energy:

Kinetic Energy: The energy in motion is known as Kinetic Energy. For example a moving ball, flowing
water, etc.
 EK = ½ m x v2
Where EK is the kinetic energy, m the mass of the object v the velocity of the object.

Potential Energy: This is the energy stored in an object and is measured by the amount of work done.
For example, a pen on a table, water in a lake, etc.
EP = m × g × h
Where, EP is the Potential Energy, m is the mass of the object in Kg, g the acceleration due to gravity
and h the height in meters

Mechanical Energy: It is the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy that is the energy associated
with the motion & position of an object.
Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy
EM = (½ m x v2 ) + (m × g × h)

Solar Energy: The light and heat from the sun, harnessed using technologies like, solar heating,
photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture, and artificial photosynthesis is known as solar
energy. It is the prime source of renewable energy.

Wind Energy: It is one of the various forms of energy. The energy present in the flow of wind, used by
wind turbines is called wind energy. This energy is a major cheap source to produce electricity. In this
phenomena, the kinetic energy of the wind is converted into mechanical power.

Nuclear Energy: The energy present in the nucleus of an atom is known as nuclear energy. The particles
of an atom are tiny and need the energy to hold themselves. Nuclear energy is that enormous energy
in the bonds of an atom which helps to hold the atom together. Nuclear energy can be used to make
electricity.

Geothermal Energy: The energy or heat present inside the Earth is known as geothermal energy. It is
a cheap & convenient heat and power resource and use of this energy don’t have a side effect like
greenhouse gas emission etc.

Tidal Energy: Tidal energy or tidal power is a form of hydropower (energy present in water), which
converts the energy present in the tides to produce electricity.

Biomass Energy: Biomass is organic matter obtained from living organisms. The energy produced from
biomass is called biomass energy.

Electrical Energy: The energy caused by moving electric charges is known as electrical energy. Electric
energy is a type of kinetic energy as the electrical charges moves.

Thermal Energy: As the name suggests, thermal energy is the energy obtained from heat. It is a
microscopic, disordered equivalent of mechanical energy.

There may be instances where an object possess more than one type of energy. For example, boiling
water, possess both kinetic and potential energy along with heat energy.

Law of Conservation of Energy

The law of conservation of energy is one of the basic laws in physics. It governs the microscopic motion
of individual atoms in a chemical reaction. The law of conservation of energy states that “In a closed
system, i.e., a system that isolated from its surroundings, the total energy of the system is conserved.”
According to the law, the total energy in a system is conserved even though the transformation of
energy occurs. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be converted from one form
to another.

Power: It is the rate at which work is performed or energy is converted. It is represented by P and
Measured in J/s (Joules per Second) or Watts (W).
P = E/T
Where P is the power in Watts, E is the energy converted in Joules and T time taken to convert the
energy from one form to another.

An Important Electrical Deviation

Charge: It is the fundamental electric quantity. It is represented by 'q' and measured in Coulombs.
Atoms are composed of the following types of charge carrying particles:
Electrons, which are negatively charged;
Protons, which are positively charged;
Neutrons which are neutral particles;
The smallest amount of charge that exists is carried by an electron and a proton. Charge in an electron
is qe = -1.602x10-19 C. Charge in a proton is qp = +1.602x10-19 C. 1 Coulomb is an unit positive charge.

Current: Current is rate of flow of negatively-charged particles, called electrons, through a

predetermined cross-sectional area in a conductor. Current moves through a circuit element like flow
of water. Essentially, flow of electrons in an electric circuit leads to the establishment of current.
Current is represented by 'I' and measured in Amperes (A)or C/s (Coulombs per Sec). Sometimes
current is measured in milliamperes.
I(t) = dq/dt
Where I is current in Amperes, q is the charge in Coulombs and t is the time duration of the charge.
Figure 1 explains current in a simplified manner.

Figure 1

Voltage: It is the potential difference across two terminals in a circuit. In order to move charge from
point A to point B, work needs to be done. Let A be the lower potential/voltage terminal. Let B be
the higher potential/voltage terminal. Then, voltage across A and B is the cost in energy required to
move a unit positive charge from A to B.

A B
Figure 2
Figure 3 explains voltage in a simplified manner:
 Figure 3

Ohms Law: In a typical resistor, a conducting element displays linear voltage-

current relationship. (i.e., voltage across a resistor is directly proportional to
the current flowing through it), provided the temperature and pressure
remains constant. Figure 4
V = I x R . . . (1)
=> I = V/R . . . (2)
=> R = V/I . . . (3)
V = Voltage in Volts, I = Current in Amperes, R = Resistance in Ohms (Ω)

P = E/T
Where P is the power in Watts, E is the energy converted in Joules and T time taken to convert the
energy from one form to another.
P= V x I . . . (4)
=> P = I x R x I . . . (From 1)
=> P= I2 x R . . . (5)
=> P = V x V/R . . . (From 2)
=> P = V2/R . . . (6)
Question:
To generate 1 milliwatt of power what is the Voltage needed to be applied
a. Across a resistor of 1000 Ω.
b. Across a resistor of 600 Ω.
Solution:
Power = 1 milliwatt = 10-3 Watt
=> P = V2/R => V=√(PxR)
Voltage across a resister of 1000 Ω = √ (10-3 x 1000) = 1 Volt.
Voltage across a resister of 600 Ω = √ (10-3 x 600) = 0.774596669241483 Volts.
Logarithms
1/1000000 = 10-6 => Log 10-6 = -6
1/100000 = 10-5 => Log 10-5 = -5
1/10000 = 10-4 => Log 10-4 = -4
1/1000 = 10-3 => Log 10-3 = -3
1/100 = 10-2 => Log 10-2 = -2
1/10 = 10-1=> Log 10-1 = -1
1 = 100 => Log 1 = 0
10 = 101=> Log 10 = 1
100 = 102 =>Log100=2
1000 = 103=> Log 1000 = 3
10000 = 104=> Log 10000 = 4
100000 = 105=> Log 100000 = 5
1000000 = 106=> Log 1000000 = 6

Example 1
106 = 102 x 104
Taking Log of all the three values
Log 106 = 6, Log 102 = 2, Log 104 = 4
But we can see that Log 106 is not = Log 102 x Log 104 but Log 106 = Log 102 + Log 104.
So now we can see that if l = m x n then log l = log m + log n

Example 2
[106] 2 = 1012
Taking Log of Both the values
Log 106 = 6, Log 1012 = 12,
But we can see that Log [106] 2 is not = [106] Log 2 but Log [106] 2 = 2 x Log 106.
So now we can see that if l = mn then log l = n x Log m

Example 3
102 = 106 ÷ 104
Taking Log of all the three values
Log 102 = 2, Log 106 = 6, Log 104 = 4
But we can see that Log 102 is not = Log 106 ÷ Log 104 but Log 102 = Log 106 – Log 104
So now we can see that if l = m ÷ n then log l = log m - log n

Example 4
102 = 106 x 10-4
Taking Log of all the three values
Log 102 = 2, Log 106 = 6, Log 10-4 = -4
But we can see that Log 102 is not = Log 106 x Log 10-4 but Log 102 = Log 106 + Log 10-4
 DECIBEL
The decibel (dB) is used to measure sound level, but it is also widely used in electronics, signals and
communication. The dB is a logarithmic unit used to describe a ratio. The ratio may be power, sound
pressure, voltage or intensity or several other things.

dBSPL represents the level compared to 20 Micro pascal of Pressure which is the threshold of hearing.
dBSPL = 20 Log (Pressure /20 Micro pascal)

dBV represents the level compared to 1 Volt RMS voltage.

dBV = 20 Log (V/1 Volt)

dBu or dBv represents the level compared to 0.775 Volt RMS voltage.
dBu = 20 Log (V/0.775 Volt)

dBm represents the level compared to 1 Milliwatt Power.

dBm = 10 Log (Power/1 milliwatt)

dBW represents the level compared to 1 Watt Power.

dBW = 10 Log (Power/1 Watt)

Threshold of hearing
In the case of SPL, a convenient pressure-level reference is the threshold of hearing, which is the
minimum sound pressure that produces the phenomenon of hearing in most people and is equal to
0.0002 microbar or 20 Micro Pascal. One microbar is equal to 1 millionth of normal atmospheric
pressure, so it’s apparent that the ear is an amazingly sensitive instrument. In fact, if the ear were any
more sensitive, the thermal motion of molecules in the air would be audible! When referencing SPLs
to 20 Micro Pascal, this threshold level usually is denoted as 0 dB SPL, which is defined as the level at
which an average person can hear a specific frequency only 50% of the time.

Threshold of feeling
An SPL that causes discomfort in a listener 50% of the time is called the thresh- old of feeling. It occurs
at a level of about 118 dB SPL between the frequencies of 200 Hz and 10 kHz.

Threshold of pain
The SPL that causes pain in a listener 50% of the time is called the threshold of pain and corresponds
to an SPL of 140 dB in the frequency range between 200 Hz and 10 kHz.