Physics – 3.4 Sound | e-Consult

Solution:

The speed of sound is greater in warmer air because the air molecules have a higher average kinetic energy. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules. In warmer air, the molecules move faster and collide more frequently. These more frequent and faster collisions allow sound waves (which are pressure variations) to propagate more quickly through the air. The increased kinetic energy translates directly to a higher speed of sound. The molecules are more readily able to transmit the disturbance.

Answer: The speed of sound is greater in warmer air because the air molecules have higher kinetic energy, leading to more frequent and faster collisions, which facilitates faster propagation of the sound wave.