Home
Back
Speed of Sound Equation:
| From: | To: |
The speed of sound equation calculates how fast sound waves travel through air based on temperature and altitude. It accounts for how sound speed increases with temperature and decreases with altitude due to changes in air density.
The calculator uses the speed of sound equation:
Where:
Explanation: The base speed of sound at 0°C and sea level is 331 m/s. For each degree Celsius increase, sound speed increases by approximately 0.6 m/s. The altitude correction factor accounts for decreasing air density at higher altitudes.
Details: Accurate speed of sound calculations are essential for aviation, meteorology, acoustics, and various engineering applications. It's crucial for determining sound propagation, designing audio systems, and calculating distances using sonar or echolocation.
Tips: Enter temperature in Celsius and altitude in meters. The calculator works for typical atmospheric conditions. For extreme conditions or different gas compositions, specialized equations may be needed.
Q1: Why does temperature affect sound speed?
A: Sound travels faster in warmer air because molecules move faster and transfer energy more quickly between them.
Q2: Why does altitude affect sound speed?
A: At higher altitudes, air is less dense, which reduces the speed of sound despite the typically lower temperatures at altitude.
Q3: What is the speed of sound at sea level and 20°C?
A: Approximately 343 m/s (331 + 0.6×20 = 343 m/s).
Q4: Does humidity affect sound speed?
A: Yes, but the effect is relatively small compared to temperature and altitude. Sound travels slightly faster in more humid air.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This equation provides a good approximation for most practical purposes, but for precise scientific applications, more complex equations accounting for humidity and exact atmospheric composition may be needed.