Local Speed of Sound Calculator
Here’s a comprehensive table summarizing all you need to know about the local speed of sound:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Definition | The speed at which sound waves propagate through a specific medium at a given point1. |
| Formula | v=elastic propertyinertial propertyv=inertial propertyelastic property5 |
| In Air | v=331 m sTK273 Kv=331 m s273 KTK, where T_K is temperature in Kelvin35 |
| In Fluids | v=Bρv=ρB, where B is bulk modulus and ρ is density5 |
| In Solids | v=Yρv=ρY, where Y is Young’s modulus and ρ is density5 |
| In Ideal Gases | v=γRTKMv=MγRTK, where γ is adiabatic index, R is gas constant, T_K is temperature in Kelvin, and M is molecular mass5 |
| Temperature Effect | Increases with temperature in gases and most materials23 |
| Density Effect | Generally decreases with increasing density5 |
| Altitude Effect | Decreases with altitude in troposphere, varies in other atmospheric layers4 |
| Medium Dependence | Faster in more rigid/less compressible media5 |
| Frequency Independence | Speed is nearly independent of frequency in open air for audible range3 |
| At Sea Level (15°C) | Approximately 340.3 m/s or 1,225 km/h6 |
| In Tissue | Can be estimated using pulse-echo ultrasound techniques8 |
| Humidity Effect | Slight increase with increasing humidity9 |
Additional Considerations
- The speed of sound is affected by the medium’s properties, including elasticity and density5.
- In the atmosphere, it varies with altitude due to temperature and pressure changes4.
- Local speed of sound estimation is crucial in medical ultrasound imaging8.
- For precise calculations, factors like humidity may need to be considered9.
- In aviation, the local speed of sound is important for determining Mach number and aircraft performance10.
Understanding the local speed of sound is essential in various fields, including acoustics, meteorology, oceanography, and aerospace engineering. It plays a crucial role in wave propagation, sonic boom formation, and ultrasound imaging techniques.