Physics – 3.4 Sound | e-Consult
3.4 Sound (1 questions)
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Explanation: The speed of sound in air is directly related to the temperature of the air. As temperature increases, the speed of sound also increases. This is because the molecules in warmer air have greater kinetic energy and move faster. These faster-moving molecules collide more frequently and transmit the sound wave more quickly.
Physics: The speed of sound (v) is related to the temperature (T) by the following equation:
| v = √(γRT/M) |
Where:
- γ (gamma) is the adiabatic index (approximately 1.4 for air).
- R is the specific gas constant for air.
- T is the absolute temperature in Kelvin.
- M is the molar mass of air.
This equation shows that as T increases, v increases. The relationship is not linear; it's a square root relationship, meaning that a small change in temperature can have a noticeable effect on the speed of sound.