Does air molecules travel with the same speed as the sound wave?

AI Thread Summary
Sound travels through air at approximately 340 m/s, but air molecules do not travel at this speed. Instead, the average speed of air molecules at around 20°C is about 500 m/s. Sound is propagated by the movement of these air molecules colliding with one another, which facilitates the transmission of the sound wave. Therefore, while sound travels at a specific speed, the individual air molecules move faster on average. Understanding this distinction is crucial in the study of sound propagation.
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Hi all,

As sound travels through air, does the air molecules travel with the same speed as well?

In other words, if sound is traveling in air at 340m/s, does it also then mean that the mean speed of all the affected air molecules is 340m/s?

I personally do not think so. I guess that the speed of air molecules will be greater than 340 m/s, but i do not know how to explain. Nor am i totally sure. :redface:

Fellow forummers can help me please?
 
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Yes, the average speed of the air molecules would have to be equal to the speed of sound, as sound is propagated by air molecules moving in the direction of the sound, hitting each other.
 
Average speed of air molecules around 20 C is 500 m/s. The speed of sound is related to the rate of propagation of an impulse wave via collisions.
 

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