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statement about speed of sound
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The speed of sound is the speed at which pressure disturbances travel through a medium; it depends on the medium’s stiffness and density (and for gases, on temperature). Key points:
- In an ideal gas: v = sqrt(γ R_specific T) (or v = sqrt(γ P/ρ)), so v increases with the square root of absolute temperature. A convenient approximation in air: v ≈ 331 + 0.6·T°C (m/s).
- In a fluid or solid: v ≈ sqrt(B/ρ) where B is the bulk (or elastic) modulus and ρ the density — stiffer materials transmit sound faster.
- Typical values: dry air at 20°C ≈ 343 m/s; water ≈ 1480 m/s; steel ≈ 5000–6000 m/s.
- Frequency (in non-dispersive media) and amplitude have little effect on speed; medium properties control it.
- In an ideal gas: v = sqrt(γ R_specific T) (or v = sqrt(γ P/ρ)), so v increases with the square root of absolute temperature. A convenient approximation in air: v ≈ 331 + 0.6·T°C (m/s).
- In a fluid or solid: v ≈ sqrt(B/ρ) where B is the bulk (or elastic) modulus and ρ the density — stiffer materials transmit sound faster.
- Typical values: dry air at 20°C ≈ 343 m/s; water ≈ 1480 m/s; steel ≈ 5000–6000 m/s.
- Frequency (in non-dispersive media) and amplitude have little effect on speed; medium properties control it.
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