Question

When Shyam, the band leader, struck both the bass drum and the kettle drum with equal force, the bass drum emitted a sound measuring 120 dB, whereas the kettle drum produced a sound of 90 dB. Explain this discrepancy in the loudness.

Answer 1

Equal striking forces do not necessarily produce vibrations of equal amplitude. The bass drum’s larger vibrating membrane moves more air and produces a sound of greater intensity, so it is heard as louder than the kettle drum.