What is the equation for total attenuation in decibels?

What is the equation for total attenuation in decibels?

• A. Total attenuation (dB) = distance (cm) ÷ attenuation coefficient (dB/cm)
• B. Total attenuation (dB) = attenuation coefficient (dB/cm) + distance (cm)
• C. Total attenuation (dB) = attenuation coefficient (dB/cm) × distance (cm)
• D. Total attenuation (dB) = attenuation coefficient (dB/cm) − distance (cm)

Answer: (C)

Attenuation in decibels accumulates linearly with distance when the attenuation coefficient is constant. The total loss is found by multiplying the per-unit-length loss by the distance traveled: Total attenuation (dB) = attenuation coefficient (dB/cm) × distance (cm). The units line up so dB/cm times cm gives dB. For example, 0.5 dB/cm over 12 cm yields 6 dB of attenuation. This reflects how the signal loses a fixed amount of energy per unit length along the path. Adding or subtracting the distance or taking a difference would not represent how a constant attenuation coefficient works, and dividing distance by the coefficient would miscalculate the accumulated loss.

Attenuation in decibels accumulates linearly with distance when the attenuation coefficient is constant. The total loss is found by multiplying the per-unit-length loss by the distance traveled: Total attenuation (dB) = attenuation coefficient (dB/cm) × distance (cm). The units line up so dB/cm times cm gives dB. For example, 0.5 dB/cm over 12 cm yields 6 dB of attenuation. This reflects how the signal loses a fixed amount of energy per unit length along the path. Adding or subtracting the distance or taking a difference would not represent how a constant attenuation coefficient works, and dividing distance by the coefficient would miscalculate the accumulated loss.