alleryStart learning →What is the SI unit of wave intensity?
AJoules per square meter
BWatts per square meter
CWatts per cubic meter
DNewtons per square meter
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Watts per square meter
1. Intensity is I = P / A, so its units are the units of power divided by the units of area.
2. Power is measured in watts and area in square meters.
3. So intensity is measured in watts per square meter.
4. Joules per square meter is an energy per area with no time in it, and newtons per square meter is a pressure.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 "Oscillatory Motion and Waves", section 16.11 Energy in Waves: Intensity_
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