How Does Temperature Affect the Speed of Sound in Air?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Drey0287
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Frequency Physics
AI Thread Summary
The speed of sound in air is influenced by temperature, with a general formula being v ≈ 331 m/s + 0.6T, where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius. Given a frequency of 700 Hz and a wavelength of 0.5 m, the speed of sound can be calculated as 350 m/s. This indicates that the assumption of a constant speed of sound at 345 m/s is incorrect for this scenario. To find the temperature of the air, one would rearrange the formula based on the calculated speed. Understanding this relationship is crucial for solving problems related to sound propagation in varying temperatures.
Drey0287
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
A sound wave has a frequency of 700 Hz in air and a wavelength of .50m. What is the temperature of the air?

speed of sound in air = 345 m/s.

I don't even get how to go about this problem...i don't know the equation
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I believe the mistake you made was to assume that the spped of sound in air is 345 m/s. You can tell just based on the information you are given in the question. If the frequency is 700 Hz and the wavelength is 0.5 m, then what MUST the speed of sound be?

There is actually a formula that relates speed of sound in air with temperature. Find that and you shall find the answer you desire.
 
Yupp, remember when the air molecules are heated up, it moves faster.
 
v\approx 331\mbox{m/s}+0.6\mbox{T}

where v is the speed of sound in air, and \mbox{T} is the temperature in degrees Celsius.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Resonant Lengths in open air column question
Replies
6
Views
3K
Sound Waves in Different Mediums
Replies
3
Views
2K
Sound waves affected by wind/sound waves in materials
Replies
13
Views
2K
Physics behind the sound of guitars
Replies
23
Views
3K
Relationship between temperature and wavelength?
Replies
1
Views
5K
Doppler effect and beat frequency
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculating Wavelength in a Medium with Different Speed of Sound
Replies
4
Views
1K
Wavelength of the sounds at zero degrees
Replies
7
Views
6K
How to Solve a Doppler Effect Problem with a Moving Vehicle and Siren at Rest
Replies
1
Views
1K
Understanding MIT's applet on sound with Fourier coefficients
Replies
3
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top