ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Sound intensity

Have you ever banged a drum or hit a cymbal and noticed how loud it can be? That loudness is called sound intensity. It is how much powerful a sound is.

Think of it like this: when you shout or speak, you are creating sound. The sound waves go out in all directions, and the air around you starts to vibrate. The more powerful the sound is, the more vibrations it creates.

Scientists measure the sound intensity by using a special tool called a decibel meter. They use it to measure how loud the sound is. The sound intensity is measured in decibels, and the higher the number of decibels, the more powerful the sound is.

For example, if someone is speaking to you in a quiet room, it might be around 30 decibels. But if a rocket is taking off nearby, it could be around 150 decibels, which is much louder!

It's important to remember that high sound intensity levels for a long time can be harmful to our ears. It can cause damage and even hearing loss. That's why it's always essential to protect our ears by using earplugs or keeping the volume of the noise down.

In summary, sound intensity is how powerful a sound is, and it's measured in decibels using a special tool called a decibel meter. Remember to protect your ears from loud sounds!