The loudness level of a sound, D, in decibels, is given by the formula
$$
D=10 \log \left(10^{12} I\right)
$$
where I is the intensity of the sound, in watts per meter2. Decibel levels
range from 0, a barely audible sound, to 160, a sound resulting in a ruptured
eardrum. (Any exposure to sounds of 130 decibels or higher puts a person at
immediate risk for hearing damage.) Use the formula to solve Exercises
117–118.
The sound of a blue whale can be heard 500 miles away, reaching an intensity
of \(6.3 \times 10^{6}\) watts per meter? Determine the decibel level of this
sound. At close range, can the sound of a blue whale rupture the human
eardrum?