What is Speed of Sound?
Speed of Sound is defined as the distance travelled by sound per unit of time. The speed of sound has the same unit as that of speed i.e. m/s. Since, we know that sound waves propagate differently in different media, hence the speed of sound waves varies in different media. Sound waves travel in a manner that there is an alternate zone of compression and rarefaction.
Speed of Sound is synonymous with the Velocity of Sound, hence the two terms must not be confused. Speed of Sound depends on the media in which it is propagating.
Note: Speed of sound in air at normal temperature is 343 metres per second (1,125 ft/s; 1,235 km/h; 767 mph).
Learn more about Speed and Velocity.
Speed of Sound
Speed of Sound as the name suggests is the speed of the sound in any medium. We know that sound is a form of energy that is caused due to the vibration of the particles and sound travels in the form of waves. A wave is a vibratory disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another point without the actual transfer of matter. Hence, when we speak the sound from our vocal cords reaches to listener’s ear in the form of a wave.
Since the sound travels from the source point to the destination point within a time period, this encourages us to calculate the speed of the sound with which it travels. Also, we know that Sound is a mechanical wave hence its speed of propagation varies in different materials. In this article, we will learn, what is sound, what is the definition of Speed of Sound and the Speed of Sound with which it propagates in different media.
Table of Content
- What is a Sound Wave?
- What is Speed of Sound?
- Speed of Sound Formula
- Factors Affecting the Speed of Sound
- Speed of Sound in Different Medium
- Sample Problems on Sound Waves