Attenuation is measured in decibels per unit length and uses what type of scale?

• A. Linear
• B. Logarithmic
• C. Exponential
• D. Quadratic

Answer: (B)

Attenuation uses a logarithmic scale because decibels quantify ratios of power or intensity on a log basis. As sound travels through tissue, its strength decreases roughly exponentially, and expressing this loss in decibels converts that exponential drop into a manageable, additive measure. This makes attenuation per unit length easy to sum along a path (dB per cm). Linear, exponential, or quadratic scales don’t match how decibels represent signal ratios, so the appropriate choice is the logarithmic scale.