Abstract

We present a simple experiment that allows us to demonstrate graphically that the intensity of sound waves is proportional to the square of their amplitude, a result that is theoretically analyzed in any introductory wave course but rarely demonstrated empirically. To achieve our goal, we use an audio signal generator that, when connected to a loudspeaker, produces sine waves that can easily be observed and measured using an oscilloscope. The measurements made with these instruments allow us to create a plot of amplitude vs. sound intensity level, which verifies the mathematical relationship between amplitude and intensity mentioned above. Among the experimental errors, the plot obtained is in excellent agreement with what is theoretically expected.