Calculating the speed of sound in water

In summary, the individual levels of contaminants in the water (chlorine, chloroamine, florides, copper, and lead) are all very small and will not significantly affect the speed of sound in water. The speed of sound can be calculated using the formula c = √(k/density), with k being a constant and density being affected by temperature. Further clarification is needed on the situation and specific numbers in order to accurately calculate the speed of sound in this water sample.
  • #1
Harini Krishna
4
0
Hi,i want to calculate the speed of sound in water
Containing
Chlorine : 4mg/L in 1L distill Water

Chloroamine : 4mg/L in 1L distill Water

Florides : 0.5mg/L + in 1L distill Water

Copper : 0.005mg/L + in 1L distill Water

Lead : 1.3 mg/L in 1L distill Water

Can you please help in this?

Thankyou
Warm Regards
Harini Krishna
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
Are you wanting to do an experiment to calculate it? Or are you wanting to calculate it based on the density of the liquid?

In the first case, there are several experiments demonstrated online, using a tube and a sound generator.

If it is the second case, does your textbook discuss how the density of the medium affects the speed of sound?
 
  • #3
The formula for these situations can be found at Engineering Toolbox.

Speed of Sound
 
  • #4
I would effectively consider it to be identical to the speed of sound in pure water, given how small the levels of those contaminants are.
 
  • #5
cjl said:
I would effectively consider it to be identical to the speed of sound in pure water, given how small the levels of those contaminants are.
It adds up to a little less than 10mg of impurities dissolved in each 1,000,000mg of water.
Even if all of that were lead, it would still mass the same as water to within one part in 10,000.

But hey, that won't change the math.
 
  • #6
Harini Krishna said:
i want to calculate the speed of sound in water
Containing
Chlorine : 4mg/L in 1L distill Water
Chloroamine : 4mg/L in 1L distill Water
Florides : 0.5mg/L + in 1L distill Water
Copper : 0.005mg/L + in 1L distill Water
Lead : 1.3 mg/L in 1L distill Water
Can you please help in this?

It should be sufficient to specify;
Chlorine : 4mg/L
Chloroamine : 4mg/L
Florides : 0.5mg/L
Copper : 0.005mg/L
Lead : 1.3 mg/L
Unless you actually meant mixing the 5 samples to make 5 litres of distilled water, which will dilute the concentration per litre in the final mix.

The temperature will be critical as it will change the density more than the dissolved species.

The speed of sound due to density can be calculated from;
Speed of sound, c = √ ( k / density );

Assume that for a density of 1.000000 the speed of sound is 1500 m/sec.
Then; 1500 = √ k ;
∴ k = 1500² = 2250000.

For the total dissolved species = 9.805 mg/litre;
c = √(2250000. / 1.009805);
∴ c = 1492.7 m/sec.
 
  • #7
Baluncore said:
Unless you actually meant mixing the 5 samples to make 5 litres of distilled water, which will dilute the concentration per litre in the final mix.
The ambiguity did not escape me either.

Adding 4mL/L of Chloramine to a litre of pure water is not quiiiite the same thing as adding 4mL/L of Chloramine to a premade solution of 4mg Chlorine per litre of water.

Taking the OP at face-value, his/er method will end up with a volume of 1.01961L, whereas your method will lend up with a volume of 1.09805L, resulting in slightly different densities.

Either way, I'd still say we're talking on the order of 1 part in 10,000. At 1450m/s we're talking about less than 2cm/s difference in speeds. The distinction above brings that down almost another order of mag to mm/s.
 
Last edited:
  • #8
@Harini Krishna
Yes, we can help you calculate the speed of sound from the numbers.
The result will not be meaningful unless you;
1. Describe the situation, so we know what is fixed and what changes are important.
2. Refine the question, so we can ask for all the numbers needed.
 

What is the speed of sound in water?

The speed of sound in water is approximately 1,500 meters per second, or about 4,921 feet per second. This value can vary slightly depending on factors such as water temperature, salinity, and depth.

How is the speed of sound in water calculated?

The speed of sound in water can be calculated using the equation: c = √(K/ρ), where c is the speed of sound, K is the bulk modulus of water, and ρ is the density of water. The bulk modulus of water is a measure of its resistance to compression, and it can be calculated using the equation: K = ρc^2, where c is the speed of sound and ρ is the density of water.

Why is the speed of sound faster in water than in air?

The speed of sound is faster in water than in air because water is a denser medium than air. This means that sound waves can travel more quickly and efficiently through water, allowing for a higher speed of sound.

How does the speed of sound in water change with depth?

The speed of sound in water typically increases with depth due to the increase in water pressure. This increase in pressure causes the water to become more dense, which in turn increases the speed of sound. However, at extreme depths, the speed of sound may decrease due to changes in temperature and salinity.

What are some real-world applications of calculating the speed of sound in water?

Calculating the speed of sound in water is important in various industries, such as underwater acoustics, marine navigation, and oceanography. It is also used in sonar technology for detecting and locating objects underwater, and in the study of marine life and underwater communication.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
6K
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
4K
Back
Top