What is Intensity?
- Wave intensity, I, is described as the power of a wave over the area it is distributed.
- Intensity decreases exponentially with distance, as the power of a wave stays constant, but the area its spread across increases exponentially.
- Wave intensity is measured in watts per meter squared, Wm⁻².
Intensity Relationships
Intensity is proportional to both amplitude and frequency squared.
I ∝ A²
I ∝ f²
- As we described that intensity decreases exponentially with distance, then we can determine that intensity is inversely proportional to the square of distance.
I ∝ 1/d²
Sources