Sound is a type of mechanical wave that propagates through a medium such as air, water, or solids. In air, sound travels as longitudinal pressure waves, where particles of air vibrate back and forth in the direction of wave propagation.... Read More
Sound is a type of mechanical wave that propagates through a medium such as air, water, or solids. In air, sound travels as longitudinal pressure waves, where particles of air vibrate back and forth in the direction of wave propagation. The speed of sound in air depends primarily on the temperature, pressure, and composition of the air.
At normal room temperature (~20°C) and standard atmospheric pressure, the speed of sound in air is approximately 1235 kilometers per hour (km/h), which equals about 343 meters per second (m/s). Warmer air molecules move faster, allowing vibrations to transmit more quickly, which is why the speed of sound increases with temperature. Humidity also affects the speed slightly, as water vapor is lighter than dry air.
The speed of sound differs in other media. For example, it travels faster in water (~1,480 m/s) and even faster in solids like steel (~5,960 m/s) due to closer particle spacing and stronger intermolecular forces. Understanding the speed of sound is essential in physics, engineering, and everyday applications, including acoustics, musical instruments, sonar technology, and aviation.
Incorrect options in this question illustrate common misconceptions:
1347 km/h is slightly overestimated for standard air conditions.
243 km/h is far too slow for air at normal conditions.
1495 km/h is close to the speed of sound in water, not in air.
Studying the speed of sound helps students understand how mechanical waves propagate, how environmental conditions affect wave speed, and why sound travels differently in air, water, and solids. This concept is a fundamental part of physics, particularly in wave mechanics and acoustics, and forms the foundation for many real-world technologies and applications.
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