The speed of sound varies depending on the medium and environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure. Below is a comprehensive table summarizing the speed of sound in feet per second (fps) under different conditions and in various materials.
Speed of Sound in Air (at Different Conditions)
Condition
Speed (fps)
Dry air at 20°C (68°F), sea level
1,125 fps
Air at 0°C (32°F), sea level
1,087 fps
Air at -10°C (14°F), sea level
1,076 fps
Speed of Sound in Common Materials
Material
Speed (fps)
Water (25°C)
4,856 fps
Steel
19,356 fps
Aluminum
20,669 fps
Copper
15,420 fps
Glass
17,388 fps
Rubber
5,906 fps
Conversion Between Speed of Sound and Feet Per Second
The speed of sound in air at standard conditions is approximately 1,125 fps. To convert between speed of sound units and feet per second:
Feet per second=Speed of sound×1,125.33Feet per second=Speed of sound×1,125.33
Speed of sound=Feet per second×0.000889Speed of sound=Feet per second×0.000889
Examples of Conversion
Speed of Sound
Feet Per Second
0.1 sound
112.53 fps
0.5 sound
562.66 fps
1 sound
1,125.33 fps
2 sounds
2,250.66 fps
Notes:
The speed of sound increases with temperature because warmer air has less density.
In solids and liquids, the speed is significantly higher due to their rigidity and lower compressibility compared to gases.
Variations in atmospheric pressure have negligible effects on the speed of sound.
This table provides a clear understanding of the speed of sound across different scenarios and its conversions to feet per second for practical applications.