Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne decibel levels 
Name: N/A
Status: N/A
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
We are a 5th grade class and we would like information about decibel levels. Do you have a list of decibel levels for common sounds? Such as voice, airplane, etc?


Replies:
Threshold of hearing.....................0 dB
Outdoors, no people or traffic..........20 dB
Background noise in a library...........40 dB
Ordinary speaking voice.................60 dB
Heavy traffic...........................85 dB
Power lawnmower up close................90 dB
Motorcycle (rider)......................90 dB
Chainsaw...............................100 dB
Rock music at concert..................110 dB
Jet plane takeoff at 100 yards.........120 dB
Threshold of pain......................140 dB

These noise levels are approximate, and depend on many factors. Noise levels of 85 dB and above are considered potentially damaging over time; for example, workers are not allowed to spend more than 30 minutes per day at 110 dB -- the level of a rock concert!

gary e myers


Click here to return to the Physics Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory