Home
Back
Sound Wave Velocity Formula:
| From: | To: |
The sound wave velocity equation calculates the speed of sound in an ideal gas. It depends on the adiabatic index, gas constant, temperature, and molar mass of the gas. This formula is fundamental in acoustics and thermodynamics.
The calculator uses the sound wave velocity equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that sound travels faster in lighter gases, at higher temperatures, and in gases with higher adiabatic indices.
Details: Calculating sound velocity is essential for various applications including acoustic engineering, atmospheric studies, chemical process design, and understanding wave propagation in different media.
Tips: Enter the adiabatic index (γ), gas constant (R), temperature in Kelvin (T), and molar mass (M). All values must be positive. The gas constant is typically 8.314 J/mol·K for ideal gases.
Q1: What is the adiabatic index (γ)?
A: The adiabatic index is the ratio of specific heats (Cp/Cv) of a gas. For monatomic gases it's 1.67, for diatomic gases 1.4, and it varies for more complex molecules.
Q2: Why is temperature in Kelvin?
A: The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale where 0K represents absolute zero, making it appropriate for thermodynamic calculations.
Q3: How does molar mass affect sound velocity?
A: Sound travels slower in heavier gases. Lighter gases like helium have higher sound velocities than heavier gases like carbon dioxide.
Q4: Is this formula accurate for real gases?
A: The formula works well for ideal gases at moderate pressures. For real gases, corrections may be needed especially at high pressures or near condensation points.
Q5: What are typical sound velocities in common gases?
A: In air at 20°C, sound travels at about 343 m/s. In helium at 0°C, it's about 965 m/s, and in carbon dioxide at 0°C, it's about 258 m/s.