Decibels are represented by a/an ____________ scale:

Decibels are represented by a logarithmic scale because they measure sound intensity in a way that reflects the human perception of loudness, which is not linear. The logarithmic scale allows for a more manageable representation of a wide range of sound levels, as sound intensity can vary greatly from very quiet to extremely loud.

Using a logarithmic scale means that an increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity, and this relationship helps in understanding how humans perceive changes in sound. The logarithmic nature is crucial in various applications, including acoustics, audio engineering, and noise control, where it is necessary to quantify sound levels in a practical and comprehensible way.

The other options do not accurately describe how decibels are calculated or interpreted. A reference scale generally refers to a known standard for comparison, intensity describes a physical property but does not define how sound levels are quantified, and a linear scale would imply equal intervals of sound level, which does not correspond to human perception.