1. What is the Speed of Sound Formula?

The speed of sound formula calculates the speed at which sound waves propagate through a gas medium. It depends on the adiabatic index, gas constant, temperature, and molar mass of the gas.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the speed of sound formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Speed of sound (m/s)
• \( \gamma \) — Adiabatic index (unitless)
• \( R \) — Gas constant (J/mol·K)
• \( T \) — Temperature (K)
• \( M \) — Molar mass (kg/mol)

Explanation: The formula shows that sound travels faster in lighter gases, at higher temperatures, and in gases with higher specific heat ratios.

3. Importance of Speed of Sound Calculation

Details: Calculating the speed of sound is crucial in various fields including acoustics, aerodynamics, meteorology, and engineering design of sound-related systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the adiabatic index (γ), gas constant (R), temperature in Kelvin (T), and molar mass (M). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical value for the adiabatic index (γ)?
A: For diatomic gases like air, γ is approximately 1.4. For monatomic gases like helium, it's about 1.67.

Q2: What value should I use for the gas constant (R)?
A: The universal gas constant is approximately 8.314 J/mol·K for most calculations.

Q3: Why is temperature measured in Kelvin?
A: The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale where 0K represents absolute zero, making it appropriate for thermodynamic calculations.

Q4: How does molar mass affect sound speed?
A: Sound travels faster in gases with lower molar mass. This is why sound travels faster in helium than in air.

Q5: What is the speed of sound in air at room temperature?
A: Approximately 343 m/s at 20°C (293K) in dry air with γ = 1.4, R = 8.314 J/mol·K, and M = 0.029 kg/mol.