The speed of sound refers to the velocity at which sound waves propagate through a medium, such as air, water, or any substance capable of transmitting sound. As the medium’s temperature increases, the speed of sound generally increases, reflecting the increased kinetic energy of the molecules in the medium. In a standard atmosphere at sea level and at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), the speed of sound in dry air is approximately 343 meters per second (1,125 feet per second). The formula to calculate Speed of sound as follows:
where:
- is the speed of sound,
- is the adiabatic index or ratio of specific heats for air (approximately 1.4),
- is the specific gas constant for air (approximately 287 J/(kg·K)),
- is the temperature in Kelvin.