What does intensity measure in acoustic events?

Intensity in acoustic events specifically refers to the amount of energy carried by a sound wave, which directly correlates with its loudness. Loudness is the perceptual experience that allows us to determine how "loud" or "soft" a sound appears to us. While frequency relates to the pitch of a sound, duration pertains to the time a sound lasts, and amplitude describes the height of the sound wave.

The distinction is important because intensity is not about how high or low the sound is (that’s frequency), nor is it about how long the sound plays (duration). It is indeed the attribute of sound that influences how loud the sound is perceived, making loudness the correct answer in the context of measuring intensity in acoustic events.