decibel etymology

Etymology:

• The word "decibel" (dB) is derived from two units:
  • Deci: Latin for "ten" (1/10 of a unit)
  • Bel: Named after Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone

Meaning:

• A decibel is a logarithmic unit used to measure the relative loudness (sound pressure level) of sound.

Origin:

• The decibel was originally defined in 1928 by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as a logarithmic measure of the ratio of two power levels.
• It was chosen to be one tenth (1/10) of a bel, which was named after Alexander Graham Bell in recognition of his contributions to telephony.
• The bel was originally defined in 1923 by Bell Labs engineers as a logarithmic unit for measuring transmission losses in telephone circuits.

Usage:

• Decibels are used to measure sound intensity in a wide variety of applications, including:
  • Acoustics
  • Engineering
  • Music
  • Audiology
• Common examples of decibel levels include:
  • Whisper: 30 dB
  • Normal conversation: 60 dB
  • Loud music: 80 dB
  • Jet engine: 120 dB

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