Comment on the statement ‘loudness of sound is a subjective quantity

1.	Comment on the statement ‘loudness of sound is a subjective quantity, while intensity is an objective quantity.
Answer» The intensity at any point of the medium is the amount of sound energy passing per second normally through unit area at that point. The loudness of a sound depends on the energy conveyed by the sound wave near the eardrum of the listener. Loudness, being a sensation, also depends on the sensitivity of the ears of the listener. Thus the loudness of sound of a given intensity may differ from listener to listener. Further, two sounds of the same intensity but of different frequencies may differ in loudness even to the same listener because of the sensitivity of ears is different for different frequencies. So, loudness is a subjective quantity while intensity being a measurable quantity is an objective quantity for the sound wave.

Comment on the statement ‘loudness of sound is a subjective quantity, while intensity is an objective quantity.

Answer»

The intensity at any point of the medium is the amount of sound energy passing per second normally through unit area at that point.

The loudness of a sound depends on the energy conveyed by the sound wave near the eardrum of the listener. Loudness, being a sensation, also depends on the sensitivity of the ears of the listener. Thus the loudness of sound of a given intensity may differ from listener to listener. Further, two sounds of the same intensity but of different frequencies may differ in loudness even to the same listener because of the sensitivity of ears is different for different frequencies. So, loudness is a subjective quantity while intensity being a measurable quantity is an objective quantity for the sound wave.

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