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Velocity of Sound Wave Formula:
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The Velocity of Sound Wave formula calculates the speed of sound in air based on temperature. It provides an accurate estimation of how fast sound waves travel through the atmosphere at different temperatures.
The calculator uses the velocity of sound wave formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows that the speed of sound increases with the square root of the absolute temperature, as sound travels faster in warmer air due to increased molecular motion.
Details: Accurate sound velocity calculation is crucial for various applications including acoustic engineering, atmospheric studies, sonar systems, musical instrument design, and ultrasound technology.
Tips: Enter temperature in Kelvin. The value must be valid (temperature > 0K). The calculator will compute the velocity of sound wave in meters per second.
Q1: Why does temperature affect sound velocity?
A: Sound travels faster in warmer air because increased temperature causes air molecules to move faster and collide more frequently, allowing sound waves to propagate more quickly.
Q2: What is the typical speed of sound at room temperature?
A: At room temperature (approximately 293K or 20°C), sound travels at about 343 m/s in dry air.
Q3: Does humidity affect sound velocity?
A: Yes, humidity slightly increases the speed of sound because water vapor molecules are lighter than nitrogen and oxygen molecules, making the air less dense.
Q4: Why use Kelvin instead of Celsius or Fahrenheit?
A: The formula requires absolute temperature because it's based on the square root of temperature, and Kelvin is the absolute temperature scale where 0 represents absolute zero.
Q5: Is this formula applicable to all gases?
A: This specific formula is designed for air. For other gases, different constants and formulas are used based on the gas's specific heat ratio and molecular weight.