What are the three primary characteristics of noise that affect crewmembers?

The three primary characteristics of noise that significantly affect crewmembers are intensity, frequency, and duration.

Intensity refers to the loudness of the sound, often measured in decibels (dB). It can impact a crewmember’s ability to hear important communications and can lead to hearing damage if exposure to high decibel levels is prolonged.

Frequency is the pitch of the sound, which is determined by how fast the sound waves are oscillating. Different frequencies can affect how we perceive sounds and can influence the clarity of communications; some frequencies may be more disruptive than others in a noisy environment.

Duration is the length of time for which the noise is present. Prolonged exposure to certain noise levels can lead to fatigue, stress, and other physiological effects. Understanding these characteristics helps in assessing noise environments and making decisions to protect crewmembers’ hearing and well-being.

The other options listed may include related terms, but they do not encompass the three critical aspects clearly identified in acoustics, thus making them less suitable as the correct answer.