How does the area increase affect the sound reduction of glass?

The correct choice indicates that the area increase decreases sound reduction. This is based on the principles of sound transmission and acoustic design. When the area of glass increases, especially in larger panels, the surface can react differently to sound waves. Larger surfaces may allow for greater amounts of sound energy to pass through due to lower mass per unit area, which can lead to reduced sound transmission loss.

In practical terms, as the surface area of the glass increases, the effectiveness of the glass in reducing sound can diminish unless other factors, such as thickness or the use of laminated glass with different layers to disrupt sound waves, are optimized. Hence, while larger windows can provide more light and views, they often come at the cost of sound isolation unless appropriate sound-reduction technologies or materials are employed.

Other choices suggest different outcomes, such as remaining unchanged or varying, which do not accurately reflect the general principles of acoustics related to glass and its sound transmission characteristics. The relationship between glass area and sound reduction is generally more straightforward in that increasing the area tends to compromise sound reduction capabilities under typical circumstances.