Speed Of Sound At Altitude Calculator Degrees

Speed of Sound Equation:

\[ v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma R T}{M}} \]

Adiabatic Index (γ):

unitless

Gas Constant (R):

J/mol·K

Temperature (T):

Molar Mass (M):

kg/mol

Speed of Sound (v):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is the Speed of Sound Equation?

The speed of sound equation calculates the speed at which sound waves propagate through a medium. For ideal gases, 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 equation:

\[ v = \sqrt{\frac{\gamma R T}{M}} \]

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 equation 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 aeronautics, meteorology, acoustics, and engineering design. It helps in determining Mach numbers, designing sonic equipment, and understanding atmospheric phenomena.

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. For air at sea level, typical values are γ=1.4, R=8.314 J/mol·K, T=288 K, M=0.02897 kg/mol.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does altitude affect the speed of sound?
A: At higher altitudes, temperature decreases, which generally reduces the speed of sound despite the lower air density.

Q2: What is the adiabatic index (γ)?
A: The adiabatic index is the ratio of specific heats (Cp/Cv) and is approximately 1.4 for diatomic gases like air at room temperature.

Q3: Why is temperature in Kelvin?
A: The gas constant R is defined using the Kelvin scale, and the equation requires absolute temperature for accurate results.

Q4: How does humidity affect sound speed?
A: Humidity slightly increases the speed of sound because water vapor has a lower molar mass than dry air, though the effect is relatively small.

Q5: What's the typical speed of sound in air?
A: At sea level and 20°C (293 K), the speed of sound in air is approximately 343 m/s (1235 km/h or 767 mph).