Which option correctly states what decibels measure?

• A. Measurement of sound duration
• B. Measurement of sound intensity (loudness/softness)
• C. Measurement of pitch
• D. Measurement of frequency

Answer: (B)

Decibels measure sound intensity, specifically sound pressure level. It’s a logarithmic scale that compares the pressure of a sound wave to a reference level (about 20 micropascals in air), which is why it’s tied to how loud a sound seems. This concept is about how strong the sound is, not how long it lasts, and not about the pitch or frequency of the sound. Pitch and frequency relate to how high or low a tone is (frequency in Hz), while duration is about time. So decibels are the right measure for loudness/softness.