According to the inverse square law, what happens to sound intensity as you move away from the source?

The correct response indicates that according to the inverse square law, sound intensity decreases with the square of the distance from the source. This principle is rooted in the way sound energy propagates through space. As sound travels outward from a point source, it spreads over a larger area. The intensity, which is the power per unit area, diminishes because that power is distributed over an increasingly larger surface.

Mathematically, if the distance from the source doubles, the intensity is reduced to a quarter of its original value because the area over which the sound energy spreads increases as the square of the distance. Therefore, for any significant increase in distance from the source, the impact on sound intensity becomes quite pronounced, following the pattern stated by the inverse square law.

This law is a crucial concept in acoustics and helps explain phenomena such as why sounds are quieter at greater distances from their source. Understanding this relationship emphasizes the effect of distance on sound perception, making it vital for audio professionals in planning sound installations and ensuring proper coverage in a space.