Speed of Sound Formula
We know that the speed of an object is given by distance divided by time.
Speed(v) = Distance(s)/Time(T)
The same formula will be used to calculate the speed of sound waves. In the case of sound waves, the distance is replaced by wavelength which has the same physical dimension of distance. Both wavelength and distance are physical ‘Length’ and have the same unit ‘meter’. The wavelength of a wave is defined as the distance between a successive crest and a trough. Wavelength is represented by λ.
Hence, the formula for the Speed of Sound is given as:
Speed of Sound = Wavelength/Time
v = λ/T
We can rewrite the formula as v = λ×1/T
Here, 1/T is called Frequency(f). Frequency of sound is defined as the number of oscillations in one unit of time. Frequency is given as the reciprocal of the time period, hence its unit is s-1 or Hertz(Hz).
Hence, the speed of sound in terms of frequency is given as follows
Speed of Sound = Wavelength × Frequency
v = λ × f
The unit of Speed of Sound is m/s.
Speed of Sound
Speed of Sound as the name suggests is the speed of the sound in any medium. We know that sound is a form of energy that is caused due to the vibration of the particles and sound travels in the form of waves. A wave is a vibratory disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another point without the actual transfer of matter. Hence, when we speak the sound from our vocal cords reaches to listener’s ear in the form of a wave.
Since the sound travels from the source point to the destination point within a time period, this encourages us to calculate the speed of the sound with which it travels. Also, we know that Sound is a mechanical wave hence its speed of propagation varies in different materials. In this article, we will learn, what is sound, what is the definition of Speed of Sound and the Speed of Sound with which it propagates in different media.
Table of Content
- What is a Sound Wave?
- What is Speed of Sound?
- Speed of Sound Formula
- Factors Affecting the Speed of Sound
- Speed of Sound in Different Medium
- Sample Problems on Sound Waves
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