1. What is the Speed of Sound in Hydrogen?

The speed of sound in hydrogen at NTP (Normal Temperature and Pressure: T=273 K, P=1 atm) is calculated using the formula for ideal gases. Hydrogen, being the lightest gas, has one of the highest sound speeds among common gases.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the speed of sound formula for ideal gases:

Where:

• \( v \) — Speed of sound (m/s)
• \( \gamma \) — Adiabatic index (1.41 for hydrogen)
• \( R \) — Universal gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K)
• \( T \) — Temperature in Kelvin (273 K at NTP)
• \( M \) — Molar mass (0.002 kg/mol for hydrogen)

Explanation: The speed of sound in an ideal gas depends on the temperature, molar mass, and the adiabatic index of the gas.

3. Importance of Speed of Sound Calculation

Details: Calculating the speed of sound in gases is important in various scientific and engineering applications, including acoustics, aerodynamics, and chemical process design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the adiabatic index (γ), gas constant (R), temperature (T) in Kelvin, and molar mass (M) in kg/mol. All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the speed of sound higher in hydrogen than in air?
A: Hydrogen has a lower molar mass than air, which results in a higher speed of sound according to the formula.

Q2: What is the typical speed of sound in hydrogen at NTP?
A: Using standard values (γ=1.41, R=8.314, T=273, M=0.002), the speed is approximately 1260 m/s.

Q3: Does pressure affect the speed of sound in ideal gases?
A: For ideal gases, the speed of sound depends only on temperature and not on pressure, assuming constant composition.

Q4: What is the adiabatic index (γ)?
A: The adiabatic index is the ratio of specific heats (Cp/Cv) and is 1.41 for diatomic gases like hydrogen.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for other gases?
A: Yes, by changing the values of γ and M appropriately, this calculator can be used for any ideal gas.