The speed of ultrasonic waves and normal sound waves is fundamentally the same in ideal gases, as both propagate at a speed determined by the formula v = √(γP/ρ), where γ represents the ratio of specific heats. The distinction between ultrasonic and normal sound waves lies primarily in their frequency, not their speed. The formula without the gamma factor, proposed by Newton, was corrected by Laplace to account for adiabatic conditions. In real gases, there is a minimal dependence on temperature and frequency, confirming that the speed remains consistent across low-amplitude sound waves.
PREREQUISITESPhysics students, acoustics researchers, and professionals in fields involving sound wave applications, such as engineering and audio technology, will benefit from this discussion.
v= √(γP/ρ)and for ultrasonic sound speed v= √(P/ρ) is he wrong?Yes, unless some context is missing. Ultrasound is just a name related to human hearing specifics. The formula without gamma was proposed by Newton and was latter corrected by Laplace by adding the gamma factor. The compression of air in a sound wave is better described as adiabatic rather than isothermal (as Newton assumed). The formula assumes an ideal gas, of course. In real gases there is a weak dependence of temperature and even weaker dependence on frequency.Hesh123 said:is he wrong?
You can see from the reply by nasu #4 that your first formula applies at all frequencies.Hesh123 said:Does the speed of ultrasonic waves differ from the normal sound wave speed?
my teacher said that for normal sound wave speedv= √(γP/ρ)and for ultrasonic sound speed v= √(P/ρ) is he wrong?