Noise Levels

8Le
 Learning Objectives
• Recall that unpleasant sounds are called noise.
• Recall that a decibel is a unit for the loudness of
sound.
• Explain that soundproofing can be used to
reduce noise.
• Recall how sounds are measured.
• Explain the meaning of threshold of hearing.
• Explain how soundproofing works
 Annoyed by noise
• Sometimes sounds around you can be
very annoying.
• Sound can damage your ears if its too
loud or goes on for too long.
• Unpleasant sound is often called noise.

• We can measure how loud sound using a

sound intensity meter in decibels (dB)
 150 VERY
LOUD

Guess the sound!!

140

130

120

• What is the sound? 110

• What decibel could it be? 100

90

7 80
1 4
70

60

5 8
2 50

40

30
3 6 9 20
QUIET
10

0
 150 VERY
1
LOUD

Guess the sound!!

140

130

3 120

1. Airplane 110 4
2. Bird singing 100
7
3. Drums 90

4. Motorbike 80 9

5. Bell 70

60
6. Clock ticking
50 5
7. Shouting
2 40
8. Whispering/yawn 30
9. City noise/traffic 20
8

QUIET
6 10

0
10 dB
20 dB
40 dB
50 dB
90 dB
100 dB
110 dB
120 dB
140 dB
 Threshold of hearing
• This is the quietest sound we can hear.
• 0dB.

• The loudness of a road drill is 90dB.

• This is the top limit accepted by law.
• A noisy factory can be louder than this!
• Dance speakers in a nightclub = 90dB.

• Sound becomes painful at 80dB!

• Ear drums break at 180dB!!
 FACT
• In November 1999, France brought out
a law which limited the noise levels of
personal stereos.

• Since 2000 no personal stereos can be

played louder than 100dB.
 Questions
1. What is the instrument which measures
sound?
2. What units do we measure sound in?
3. What is the threshold of hearing?
4. What is the limit of acceptable noise?
5. Make a list of jobs which have a high
level of noise.
 Soundproofing
• Houses near to an airport usually have
double glazed windows. Most of the air
has been taken out from between the
layers of glass.
• This makes it more difficult for sound to
travel through – Why might this be?
• There are fewer particles to pass on
vibrations.
Some people have to wear special ear protectors to stop
their ears being damaged.
 Noise can be reduced by soft things like curtains and
carpets. The soft materials absorb some of the energy of
sound.
 Practical – Soundproof designs
• Investigate which materials are the best
for soundproofing.
• Choose the best way you think to
collect and display the information.

• You will be given: bell, cardboard,

paper, bubble wrap and other sound
proofing materials.
Worksheet 8Le 2 or 3
 Plenary – Zoo-reka!
• The world renowned zoo and theme park ‘Zoo-
reka!’ has decided to employ people to help
educate its visitors.
• You have been asked to lead tours and answer
questions relating to the area of animals and
sound.
– How the enclosures keep the animals healthy and
clean.
– How animals make sounds and what they use them
for.
– How humans can listen to the sounds animals make.

•What would you say to Year 7’s about ‘Zoo-reka!’?

Level descriptors – ASP 336-337
 Learning Objectives
• Recall that unpleasant sounds are called noise.
• Recall that a decibel is a unit for the loudness of
sound.
• Explain that soundproofing can be used to
reduce noise.
• Recall how sounds are measured.
• Explain the meaning of threshold of hearing.
• Explain how soundproofing works