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Physics of the ear (A-level only)

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Question 4

A server room contains 120 identical high-performance cooling fans. When all fans are operating at full capacity, the sound-intensity level at the central monitoring console is 98 dB98\text{ dB}98 dB.

a.

Estimate the sound-intensity level at the central monitoring console when 105 of the fans are switched off for scheduled maintenance.

You should assume that:

  • the sound intensity produced at the console by each individual fan is identical.
  • the active fans are distributed uniformly around the room.
[3]
b.

Describe two changes to a person's hearing that may result from prolonged exposure to sound at 98 dB98\text{ dB}98 dB without hearing protection.

[3]
Markscheme

Physics of the ear (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Physics of the ear (A-level only)

14 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Physics of the ear (A-level only), covering Ear as a sound detection system (A-level only), Sensitivity and frequency response (A-level only), and Defects of hearing (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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