To understand how to convert between different sound intensity scales and how the decibel intensity of a sound changes with distance. The decibel scale is logarithmic in intensity: β=10logII0. In this formula, I0 is a reference intensity, which, for sound waves, is taken to be 10−12W/m^2. This constant must be used to convert a particular physical intensity into a sound intensity level measured in decibels. Once we know the sound intensity level (in decibels) at a certain reference distance from a sound source, the 1/r2 decrease of intensity with distance can be accounted for by subtracting the decibel value appropriate to the ratio of the new distance to the reference distance. In this problem you will use the decibel scale to analyze a small firecracker that emits 1200 W of peak power. To avoid confusion, intensities denoted by I are in units of watts per meter squared; intensities denoted by β are in units of decibels. Required:
What is the peak intensity β in decibels at a distance of 1 m from the firecracker?