How Does Sound Behavior Change in Low Atmosphere?

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Sound cannot travel in space due to the lack of particles to transmit pressure waves. In the upper atmosphere, the speed of sound is affected by temperature changes, with variations in how sound behaves at different altitudes. As altitude increases, sound speed can change, and this is quantified by the concept of Mach 1. The intensity and frequency of sound also vary with altitude, influenced by atmospheric conditions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for studying sound behavior in low atmospheric conditions.
brendanbarnes
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There is no sound in space because there are not enough particles to transmit the pressure wave. But what about really high in the atmosphere where there is just a little air? Would sound move faster, slower or at the same speed? Would the intensity (aka volume) go up, down, or stay the same? And would the frequency go up, down, or stay the same as it traveled through space?

Here are some references that I have personally looked at that might spark good thoughts:
http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/I_47.htmlhttps://www.khanacademy.org/science...ve-speed-of-sound-in-solids-liquids-and-gases
Thanks,
Brendan
 
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The speed of sound does change as altitude increases. That speed is called Mach 1. How it changes depends a lot on how the temperature changes. So its behavior changes in different parts of the atmosphere. See Mach vs. Altitude Tables .
 
For simple comparison, I think the same thought process can be followed as a block slides down a hill, - for block down hill, simple starting PE of mgh to final max KE 0.5mv^2 - comparing PE1 to max KE2 would result in finding the work friction did through the process. efficiency is just 100*KE2/PE1. If a mousetrap car travels along a flat surface, a starting PE of 0.5 k th^2 can be measured and maximum velocity of the car can also be measured. If energy efficiency is defined by...

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