Which unit of measurement is used for the loudness of sounds?

The unit of measurement used for Loudness of sounds is the Decibel. Decibels quantify sound intensity on a logarithmic scale, allowing us to express a wide range of sound levels in a manageable way. The decibel scale starts from a reference point, often the threshold of hearing, and each increase of 10 decibels corresponds to a tenfold increase in sound intensity. This makes decibels particularly useful for measuring sounds because human perception of loudness is not linear; for example, a sound that is 10 decibels higher is perceived as roughly twice as loud.

The other units mentioned are relevant in different contexts. Hertz measures frequency, or how many cycles per second a sound wave completes, but it does not provide information about loudness. Newton is a unit of force within physics, and volt measures electrical potential difference, neither of which relate to sound intensity. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why decibels are the correct choice for measuring loudness.