Past exam of the physics A course of the University of Cambridge / 2011 / Paper 1 / Section A / 1 / Solution

For weak damping, the ringdown comparison bound for two resonator modes gives $I(t)=I(0)e^{-\omega t/Q}$. Interpreting the stated loudness comparison as an intensity comparison,Therefore the information gives an upper bound, not a unique value:Equality would describe equal intensities at two seconds; the stated strict inequality allows every smaller positive $Q_L$ consistent with the weak-damping model.