Speed of sound in different media, Sonic boom

 

Speed of sound in different media

 

Sound propagates through a medium at a finite speed. The sound of a thunder is heard a little later than the flash of light is seen. Thus, we can say that the speed of sound with a speed which is much less than the speed of light.

The speed of sound depends on the type and properties of the medium through which it travels.

The speed of sound in a particular medium depends on temperature and pressure of that medium.

The speed of sound decreases when we go from solid to gaseous state. In any medium as we increase the temperature, the speed of the sound increases.

For example, the speed of sound in air is 331 ms-1  at 22 0C.         

and 344 ms-1 at 22 0C.

the speed of sound at a particular temperature in various media are listed below:--

                 Speed of sound in different media at 25 0C

State

Substance

Speed in m/s

Solids

Aluminium

6420

 

Nickel

6040

Steel

5960

Iron

5950

Brass

4700

Glass (Flint)

2980

Liquids

Water (Sea)

1531

 

Water (distilled)

1498

Ethanol

1207

Methanol

1103

Gases

Hydrogen

1284

 

Helium

965

Air

346

Oxygen

316

Sulphur dioxide

213

 

 

 

 

in which of the three media, air, water or iron, does sound travel the fastest at a particular temperature?

 

As we know that, the speed of sound decreases when it passes from solid to gaseous state of a given medium. And in any medium, if the temperature increases, the speed of sound also increases and vice versa. Thus, speed of sound of iron is more than the air and water.

 

 

Sonic boom

When the speed of any object exceeds the speed of sound, it is said to be travelling at supersonic speed.

Bullet, jet aircrafts etc. often travel at supersonic speeds.

When a sound, producing source moves with a speed higher than that of sound, it produces shock waves in air.

These shock waves carry a large amount of energy. The air pressure variation associated with this type of shock waves produces a very sharp and loud sound called the sonic boom.

The shock waves produced by a supersonic aircraft have enough energy to shatter window glass and even damage buildings.

 

 

 

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