Chapter 14, Problem 85GP

The Loudest Animal The loudest sound produced by a living organism on Earth is made by the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). These whales can produce a sound that, if heard in air at a distance of 3.00 m, would have an intensity level of 127 dB. This is roughly the equivalent of 5000 trumpeting elephants. How far away can you be from a 127-dB sound and still just barely hear it? (Assume a point source, and ignore reflections and absorption.)