1. What is the Speed of Sound Equation?

Definition: This calculator computes the speed of sound in an ideal gas based on the gas properties and temperature.

Purpose: It helps physicists, engineers, and students determine how fast sound travels through different gases under various conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( v \) — Speed of sound (meters/second)
• \( \gamma \) — Adiabatic index (dimensionless)
• \( R \) — Universal gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K)
• \( T \) — Absolute temperature (Kelvin)
• \( M \) — Molar mass of the gas (kg/mol)

Explanation: The speed depends on how quickly molecules can transfer vibrations (related to γ), the gas properties (R and M), and temperature.

3. Importance of Speed of Sound Calculation

Details: Accurate sound speed calculations are crucial for acoustic design, aerospace engineering, meteorology, and many physics applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the adiabatic index (1.4 for air), gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K), temperature in Kelvin, and molar mass (0.029 kg/mol for air). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical adiabatic index for common gases?
A: Air = 1.4, Helium = 1.66, Argon = 1.67. Monatomic gases have γ ≈ 1.66, diatomic ≈ 1.4.

Q2: Why does temperature affect sound speed?
A: Higher temperature means faster molecular motion, allowing sound waves to propagate quicker.

Q3: How does molar mass affect the result?
A: Lighter gases (lower M) generally have higher sound speeds because their molecules move faster at the same temperature.

Q4: What's the speed of sound in air at 20°C?
A: About 343 m/s (use γ=1.4, T=293.15K, M=0.029 kg/mol).

Q5: Does this work for liquids or solids?
A: No, this equation is for ideal gases. Different formulas apply for liquids and solids.