Home
Back
Speed of Sound in Ideal Gas Formula:
| From: | To: |
The speed of sound in an ideal gas is determined by the gas's properties and temperature. It represents how fast sound waves propagate through the gas medium and depends on the adiabatic index, gas constant, temperature, and molar mass of the gas.
The calculator uses the speed of sound formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows that sound travels faster in lighter gases (lower M), at higher temperatures (higher T), and in gases with higher adiabatic indices (γ).
Details: Calculating the speed of sound is important in various fields including acoustics, aerodynamics, meteorology, and engineering. It helps in designing acoustic systems, understanding atmospheric phenomena, and analyzing gas flow in various applications.
Tips: Enter the adiabatic index (γ), gas constant (R, typically 8.314 J/mol·K), temperature in Kelvin, and molar mass in kg/mol. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is the adiabatic index (γ)?
A: The adiabatic index is the ratio of specific heats (Cp/Cv) of a gas. For monatomic gases it's approximately 1.67, for diatomic gases about 1.4.
Q2: Why does temperature affect sound speed?
A: Higher temperature increases the average molecular speed in a gas, which allows sound waves to propagate faster through the medium.
Q3: How does molar mass affect sound speed?
A: Sound travels slower in heavier gases because the molecules have more inertia and respond more slowly to pressure changes.
Q4: What are typical sound speeds in common gases?
A: In air at 20°C, sound travels at about 343 m/s. In helium (lighter gas), it's about 965 m/s, while in carbon dioxide (heavier gas), it's about 259 m/s.
Q5: Is this formula accurate for real gases?
A: The formula is derived for ideal gases. For real gases under high pressure or near condensation points, more complex equations may be needed.