Decibels always involve a reference level, which cannot be zero. So, 0 dB is not silence, but the sound reference level. The commonly used sound reference level is 20 micropascals RMS, which corresponds roughly to the threshold of human hearing, but it certainly isn't silence in the sense that lower sound levels can be detected by suitably sensitive instruments. To quote sound levels lower than that you'd have to choose a lower reference level - 10 nanopascals, say - but that wouldn't make much sense. You should really quote the absolute RMS pressure level. Absolute silence would be 0 Pa.
Sujan: You can't have negative decibel values.
pmt853
2013-02-24 11:46:55 UTC
Presumably silence is 0 decibels.
Michael
2013-02-24 11:47:21 UTC
0. This can be achieved in space where there is no medium for sound to travel.
No sound=no decibels.
anonymous
2013-02-24 11:59:45 UTC
anechoic chamber , at - 9.4 dB, is deemed the "Quietest" place on Earth
raunaqhatwal
2013-02-24 12:15:32 UTC
loudness(db)=10*log(intensity of sound/.001)
and minimum possible is 0
?
2013-02-24 11:47:01 UTC
Look it up, now get on with your homework.
It took me 4mins only.
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