1. What is the Speed of Sound Formula?

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

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 speed of sound increases with temperature and decreases with molar mass of the medium.

3. Importance of Speed of Sound Calculation

Details: Accurate speed of sound calculation is crucial for various applications including aeronautics, meteorology, underwater acoustics, and musical instrument design.

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 of γ for air?
A: For dry air at standard conditions, γ is approximately 1.4.

Q2: What is the universal gas constant value?
A: The universal gas constant R is approximately 8.314 J/mol·K.

Q3: How does temperature affect speed of sound?
A: Speed of sound increases with increasing temperature, as the formula shows a direct relationship with the square root of temperature.

Q4: Why does speed of sound vary with altitude?
A: Speed of sound varies with altitude primarily due to temperature changes, as atmospheric temperature decreases with increasing altitude.

Q5: What is the speed of sound in air at room temperature?
A: At 20°C (293K), the speed of sound in air is approximately 343 m/s.