What is the Speed of Sound?
The speed of sound varies depending on altitude, temperature and the medium through which it travels. For example, at sea level in a standard atmosphere, at a temperature of 59-degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius), sound travels 761 miles per hour (1,225 km/p/h). At a temperature of 32-degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius) the speed of sound drops to 742 mph (1,194 km/p/h). In altitudes above sea level the speed of sound is again different and will vary depending on prevailing factors. The reason for this variance is that sound waves travel by exciting molecules. When a sound wave hits a molecule it will vibrate, thereby transferring the vibration to adjacent molecules, which pass it on in a like manner. If molecules are packed very tight, the sound wave can travel very fast, increasing the speed of sound. When molecules are not as densely packed the speed of sound slows. Temperature and altitude affect atmospheric density, changing the speed of sound. Sound will also travel faster through water t
How fast is Mach 1? What is the sound barrier? How fast do you have to go to break the sound barrier? How fast is the speed of sound at ground level? What does the term Mach number mean? What is the speed of an aircraft traveling at Mach 3 at an altitude of 30,000 feet? What is subsonic speed? – question from Perry Weaver, Matt, Alexandra, Charlie, Sarah Torres, Al-Zamar McKinney & Patrick Conroy This week, we have decided to address a number of common questions people have about the speed of sound. This explanation builds on a number of previous questions we have answered in the past, but will hopefully bring all the information together in a single place. Basic Definitions: speed of sound: The speed of sound is a basic property of the atmosphere that changes with temperature. For a given set of conditions, the speed of sound defines the velocity at which sound waves travel through a substance, such as air. Scientists have devised a standard atmosphere model that defines typical value
The speed of sound is not a constant; it varies depending upon the medium (substance) through which it travels. When measuring the speed of sound in air one must take into account many factors, including air temperature, air pressure, and air purity. Sound travels through air at sea level and at 32° Fahrenheit (0° Celsius) at speeds ranging from 740 to 741.5 miles (1191.6 to 1193.22 kilometers) per hour. As air temperature rises, sound velocity (speed) increases. Sound travels faster through water than through air and even faster through iron and steel. It takes sound 5 seconds to travel 1 mile in air, 1 second to travel 1 mile underwater, and of a second to travel the same distance in steel. Sources: Brennan, Richard P. The Dictionary of Scientific Literacy, p. 276; Famighetri, Robert, ed. The World Almanac and Book of Facts 1995, p. 563; The New York Times, (May 27,…
